Rural Health: Low Obesity Rates Among Students in Portugal's Countryside.

ABSTRACT: Dietary habits significantly influence students' health status, with overweight and obesity posing serious global challenges linked to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Our cross-sectional study assessed overweight and obesity prevalence among students in Guarda, Portugal, analyzing the nutritional and lifestyle habits of 2083 students aged 6 to 58 years. The sample included 1762 school children and 321 higher education adults, grouped into age intervals: 5-12, 13-19, 20-39, and 40-59 years. BMI analysis revealed obesity rates of 9.1% in children and 9.7% in adults, with younger children, particularly males, showing higher rates compared to older children. Increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time were correlated with a lower BMI. The observe

SUBMITTER: Carvalho F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11990436 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature