Ambiente escolar e prática de atividade física em crianças pertencentes à Coorte de Nascimentos de Pelotas de 2004

Abstract

The biological and individual approach about the understanding of physical activity has been gradually enlarged to dimensions of social and environmental settings on production of knowledge in epidemiology. Outlining this important progress, from the determinants, the measurement of physical activity practice with objective methodologies, such as, accelerometry, also delimits a vital point in the development of the area. At the 6-7 year follow-up of the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort, the children were received in the research clinic, and they were given a wrist accelerometer to wear for the next few days following the visit. Besides the characterization in this age group, the physical activity will certainly be a relevant indicator for the next cohort follow-ups. Along with the accelerometry data collection, a survey was carried out in elementary schools from the urban area. When visiting the schools, an instrument was used enabling contact with school staff and the observation of physical environment related to physical activity. Aspects related to the recess, physical education classes, after-school programs and built environment were assessed. The effect of the school environment hypothesis on physical activity practice in 6-7 years old was investigated from a multilevel analysis, considering the contextual effect of the school. This approach identified no connection between biological birth variables and physical activity on 6-7 years old, a marked representation of socio-economic indicators. It has also shown a limited influence from school environment on children´s physical activity on the first school years.