Knowledge about Feeding and Practicing Physical Activity as Protective Factors of Overweight and Obesity in Students of Official Schools in the Municipality of Sopó

Abstract

Objective: To establish the knowledge of students of cycle IV of official schools of the municipality of Sopó in relation to food and adequate physical activity (AF), as protective factors of
overweight and obesity.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study (diagnosis) was carried out through three
phases, in the first phase, a conceptual reference was built on the competencies that would be
expected to strengthen in students through the curriculum, in relation to food and adequate
physical activity as prevention of overweight and obesity. In a second phase, the curricula of the
areas of Natural Sciences and Physical Education were analyzed in order to establish whether
or not they provide sufficient and necessary knowledge to the students in relation to the feeding
and practice of physical activity as protective factors of overweight and obesity. Then in the
last phase, a survey was applied to 469 students between the ages of 12 and 19 with questions
associated with obesity, overweight, physical activity and adequate food.
Results: In relation to the practice of physical activity, it was established that only 10% of the
students complies with the global recommendation of 60 minutes per day, in relation to physical activity, 88% is not clear which are the components to have into account during the practice
of physical activity frequency, intensity and time (Organisation mondiale de la Santé, OMS,
WHO 2010). With respect to the knowledge for choosing a healthy diet, it would be essential to
conclude that the knowledge is insufficient, since 63% of the students include a sweet dish and
other foods that are high in sugar in their diet. Regarding the overweight and obesity prevalence, only 12% are perceived as overweight and 8% come under obese, rest of the 80% are neither of the two categories. The figure that is in contrast with the nutritional status was reported
by the Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) of the municipality in the recent years.
Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that the curricula of the areas of Natural Sciences
and Physical Education Recreation and Sports do not provide students with the necessary and
sufficient knowledge when it comes to adequate diet and practice of physical activity as prevention measures of both overweight and obesity, however, they provide some guidance regarding
healthy habits and lifestyles.