Characterization of childhood obesity in children treated at a health center in the city of Cabo Frio: a contribution to pediatric care

Abstract

The aim was to characterize the profile of childhood obesity in children with this condition treated at a health center in the municipality of Cabo Frio. This is a descriptive, documentary study with a quantitative approach. The scenario was a Health Center, located in Cabo Frio, a reference for monitoring children diagnosed with overweight and obesity. The study was carried out by searching the medical records of obese and overweight children treated at this institution. 57.1% of the children were male and 42.9% were female. The most attended age was 10 years (25%). The highest BMI index among females is understood at the age of 9 years, and among males, at 12 years. There was only one classification of overweight in females and a classification between obesity and severe obesity in both sexes, with severe obesity being more frequent in males. Most of the children attended were classified (57%) as having severe obesity. The findings reinforce the need for the development and implementation of strategies and public policies aimed at the prevention, promotion and early treatment of childhood obesity. For this, investments are needed in health programs focused on this reality.