Influence of food consumption and physical activity practice in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in school adolescents

Abstract Background adolescence is defined by the World Health Organization, as the age group of 10 to 19 years old, because it is there, when different changes are observed. Objective to analyze the existence of association between overweight/obesity and risk factors in school adolescents. Method this is a cross-study, which was performed in high schools belonging to the state public network, in the city of Sobral, Ceará, with a sample of 572 young students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, IPAQ, and SISVAN food consumption markers. In the unadjusted analysis, the Poisson regression was used, using the chi-square test of Wald with the variables presenting a descriptive level p<0.20 as input criterion, and in the final multiple regression model of Poisson, only the significant variables (p<0,05). Results in the final model, after performing Poisson multiple regression, adolescent age (p=0.002; CI 95%=0.099; 0.591; RP=4.54) and inappropriate consumption of food with high energy density (p=0.006; CI 95%=0.369; 0.848; RP=1.79) were configured statistically significant as risk factors. Conclusion The findings of this research indicated that both young age and inadequate food consumption are risk factors for the development of overweight / obesity. This finding proves that the development of overweight / obesity is diverse and complex.