Author:

• Edio Luiz Petroski - Petroski, E.L. - Florianópolis, SC, Santa Catarina - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - <petroski@cds.ufsc.br>

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the association of overweight with sociodemographic variables and lifestyle among freshmen of a Brazilian public university. Participants: A total of 685 students were evaluated in April 2008. Methods: Overweight was determined based on body mass index. Lifestyle and sociodemographic variables were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Overweight was observed in 16% of the students and lifestyle was inadequate in 5.1%. The chance of overweight was higher among male students (OR=2.69; 95%CI: 1.64-4.42), students aged ≥20 years (OR=2.01; 95%CI: 1.25-3.25), married students (OR=2.44; 95%CI: 1.11-5.40), and students who reported to be more than 2 kg above healthy weight (OR=17.05; 95%CI: 7.73-37.63) and to ingest caffeine-containing beverages more than twice a day (OR=1.66; 95%CI: 1.00-2.75). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the need for guidance of university students regarding a healthy lifestyle and for physical activity programs on the campus aimed at reducing excess weight, with special attention to male, older and married students.
Key words: Body index mass; Life Style; Overweight; Sociodemographic; Students

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