OBESIDADE, PERFIL LIPÍDICO E HÁBITOS ALIMENTARES DE ESCOLARES: COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE MUNICÍPIOS DE DOIS ESTADOS DA REGIÃO SUL DO BRASIL

Nutritional, lipid and feeding habits of school children in two municipalities in South Brazil are compared. Transversal study analyzed indicators of obesity, lipid profile and feeding habits of school children, aged between 7 and 17 years, in Santa Cruz do Sul RS Brazil, and Chapeco SC Brazil. Difference (p<0.05) in overweight/obesity (37.0% Chapeco vs 29.2% Santa Cruz do Sul) and high waist circumference (34.8% Chapeco vs 21.2% Santa Cruz do Sul); triglycerides (41.4%) and HDL-C (23.5%) showed higher rates in Chapeco (p<0.001); total cholesterol (56.1%), LDL-C (36.4%) and glycaemia (8.7%) were higher in Santa Cruz do Sul (p<0.05). Chapeco had a high input of fruit (16.8% infrequent) and sweets (41.3% frequent) contrasting with beans/rice (57.0% daily), soft drinks (24.4% daily) and snacks (24.0% daily) in Santa Cruz do Sul (p<0.05). Results show that differences in nutritional profile existed between the two municipalities and, consequently, health indicators vary within different regions.