HEALTH PROFILE, OBTAINED FROM A CONVENIENCE SAMPLE, OF STUDENTS FROM PRIVATE NETWORK OF THE WEST OF RIO DE JANEIRO

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Studies on health status provide subsidies for public policies, including content related to healthy living habits in schools.

Objective: To identify the health status, through noninvasive methods, of private school students in the western zone of Rio de Janeiro

Method: The sample was composed of 84 individuals aged between 6 and 11 years. The students were submitted to anthropometric evaluation, the Wells bench flexibility test, Hand Grip Strength, and the Ruler Drop Method reaction test.

Results: Flexibility presented a decrease over the years, which was already expected in view of osteomioarticular maturation. HGS demonstrated increasing behavior, better observed from nine years of age, which may have been influenced by the approach of puberty. Motor reaction presented decreasing values with the passage of age, induced by cognitive and motor maturation. In total, 86.9% of the investigated individuals were underweight or normal weight, different from the increasing trend of obesity and overweight reported in the present day, which seems to indicate that this weight gain occurs after the age group studied.

Conclusion: The findings of this study may guide public health policies in schools, where managers in all areas can better plan their actions and investments for each similarity of population development.