DIETARY HABITS, PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CARE-GIVERS OF OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and dietary and physical exercise habits of caregivers of overweight children and adolescents in multidisciplinary care. An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study with a sample of 109 caregivers of children and adolescents assisted in the Center for Childhood Obesity, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. A structured questionnaire was applied from February to April 2011. The results showed that 74.3% of caregivers were overweight. The physical activity was considered mostly inappropriately and diet was classified as regular. The habit of eating fried foods, biscuits and pasta was considered bad. It was noted that the dietary and physical activity habits were inappropriate. The nutritional status and dietary and physical exercise practices may reflect in the nutritional status of children and adolescents in treatment, suggesting the inclusion of caregivers and family members in the nursing care.

Keywords

• Overweight
• Obesity
• Child
• Adolescent
• Nursing