Obesidade e sobrepeso e a relação com a coordenação corporal em escolares de 11 a 13 anos em uma escola pública de São Sebastião do Paraíso-MG

Abstract

The school environment can be an important ally in the achievement of actions involving the health promotion. The education for health must be treated as a transversal theme, permeating all the areas that compose the school curriculum, taking into account all the aspects involved in the formation of habits and attitudes. The obesity has gain significance due to the increase of the index of obese children and teenagers in Brazil and the whole world. Studies have shown that it operates negatively in the levels of physical ability. Obese children demonstrate latenesses in motor development in the most varied fundamental motor abilities. The present study had as objective to evaluate whether there is a difference in the motor coordination levels among students from diverse weight range, classified as eutrophic, overweight and obese, and if the sex and age of the individuals are facts which interfere in a direct way on the motor performance. In order to verify the motor coordination level, it was applied the body coordination test of KTK (Körperkoordination Test für Kinder), which uses a variety of motor tasks such as: balance on the goalpost test, monopedal and side jump and platform transference. 265 students (132 males and 143 females), with ages from 11 to 13 and 11 months, took part of this study, Those students are from the regular network of education at Escola Estadual Paraisense from São Sebastião do Paraíso, MG. The results have shown that the eutrophic individuals present higher body coordination than the overweight and obese ones. In addition, the male individuals demonstrated motor coefficient values superior to those from the female subjects. However, when the BMI was considered, the motor coordination levels did not vary between men and women. Regarding the age, the younger eutrophic and obese subjects (11 years old and 11 months) presented a better motor coordination in relation to the ones at theage of 13 and 11 months; although when the analysis was performed concerning just one age group, the obesity also proved to be a crucial factor in order to determine the motor coordination levels, and the sex did not have any influence in motor development. Therefore, we can conclude that there is a correlation between the motor coefficient and the body mass index in students from the town of São Sebastião do Paraíso, given that this parameter stands out when we consider the age group and the age of the evaluated individuals. Moreover, the boys’ coordinated motor performance is higher than the girls’ due to biological, genetic and social factors. So, we must point out the need of implantation of practices and preventive interventions in school, elaborated and developed by the Physical Education professionals, aiming to promote an improvement in the motor abilities in childhood and break the vicious circle: physical inactivity – motor deficits – frustration – increase of the inactivity combined with weight gain. The practice of physical activity and of the Physical Education classes is of extreme importance, since physical exercise is essential in the acquisition of better motor coordination levels and a determining factor in fighting obesity.