Correlation of Nutritional Status and Growth in Adolescents

Aim: The objective of the study is to analyse the growth achieved and its relation with nutritional status among school adolescents attending public schools in Southern Brazil.

Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study with a convenience sample of 7,225 schoolchildren, aged 10 to 16 years, was selected from the anthropometric evaluation of the Health Program of School. Classification was defined according to groups of height-for-age: Group of High with z-scores height-for-age (zE) greater than +1, Average Group with zE between +1 and −1 and Group of Low with zE below −1, for both sexes. Body Mass Index z-score values ​​(zBMI) of Group High and Group Low were compared, and zBMI correlation and sex were found.

Results: There is a statistically significant difference between BMI of Male High versus BMI of Male Low (p 0.0001), BMI of Female High versus BMI of Female Low (p 0.0001) and BMI of Male Hersus BMI of Female High (p = 0.0005). There is a correlation between zBMI and zE of Male High (p = 0.0023) and zBMI with Male Low zE (p 0.001).

Conclusion: Fast growth is associated with body weight gain and a tendency towards overweight and obesity.