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Anthropometry, dietary intake, physical activity and sitting time patterns in adolescents aged 15–17 years: an international comparison in eight Latin American countries
Author(s)
Universidad Mayor
Gérson Ferrari
Universidad Mayor
Irina Kovalskys
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Mauro Fisberg
Universidad de Costa Rica
Georgina Gómez
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Attilio Rigotti
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Lilia Yadira Cortés
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Martha Cecilia Yépez García
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional
Rossina G. Pareja
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional
Marianella Herrera‐Cuenca
Central University of Venezuela
Ioná Zalcman Zimberg
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Viviana Guajardo
University of California San Diego
Michael Pratt
University of California San Diego
Ágatha Nogueira Previdelli
University College London
Shaun Scholes
Catholic University of the Maule
Carlos Celis‐Morales
Universidad Mayor
Dirceu Solé
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Date Issued
21 de enero de 2020
Type
Article
Volume
20
Issue
1
Series/Report No.
BMC Pediatrics
Start Page
24
End Page
24
ISSN
1471-2431
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although there is high prevalence of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors among Latin American adolescents, there is limited evidence on dietary intake and physical activity (PA) patterns in this population. Therefore, we characterized anthropometry, dietary intake, PA and sitting time (ST) in adolescents aged 15-17 years from eight Latin American countries. METHODS: ) categories. Waist circumference (WC) was categorized as above or below thresholds. Dietary intake was assessed through two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. PA and ST were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We calculated overall and country-specific estimates by sex and tested for differences between boys and girls. RESULTS: Differences in the prevalence of overweightness (15.1 and 21.6%) and obesity (8.5 and 6.5%) between boys and girls, respectively, were statistically insignificant (p = 0.059). Average energy intake was 2289.7 kcal/day (95% CI: 2231-2350) for boys and 1904.2 kcal/day (95% CI: 1840-1963) for girls (p < 0.001). In relation to macronutrient intake for boys and girls, respectively, the average intake (expressed as percentage of total energy) was 15.0 and 14.9% for protein; 55.4 and 54.9% for carbohydrates; 14.1 and 14.5% for added sugar; 29.5 and 30.1% for total fat; and 9.6 and 9.9% for saturated fat (p > 0.05 for all outcomes). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of total energy (TE) saturated fat and added sugar (>10% of TE) between girls and boys (49.6% versus 44.8 and 81.7% versus 76.1%, respectively). Prevalence of physical inactivity was 19% in boys and 43.7% in girls (p < 0.001). Median levels of vigorous-intensity PA and total PA were significantly higher for boys than for girls (p < 0.05 for both outcomes); whereas levels of ST were similar (273.7 versus 220.0 min/day for boys and girls, respectively; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the high prevalence of poor dietary intake and physical inactivity in adolescents from Latin American countries. Therefore, effective and sustainable strategies and programmes are needed that promote healthier diets, regular PA and reduce ST among Latin American adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.
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