Prática de atividade física e o papel do enfermeiro na prevenção de distúrbios metabólicos em crianças e adolescentes de 11 a 14 anos

Abstract

Child and adolescent health is a central pillar of Brazilian public policies, aimed at ensuring healthy growth and development. In this context, this study sought to analyze the impact of physical activity through anthropometric assessment among schoolchildren aged 11 to 14 years, emphasizing the role of nurses within the Family Health Strategy. This was a field-based, descriptive, and exploratory study with a qualitative-quantitative approach, conducted between June and July 2025 in two municipal schools in Oeiras, Piauí. Data collection included a questionnaire, anthropometric evaluation, and an interview with the Family Health Strategy nurse responsible for the study area. Data organization and analysis were carried out using Microsoft Word 2021, Excel 2021, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The study complied with the National Health Council Resolutions No. 466/2012 and No. 510/2016 and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculdade de Tecnologia de Teresina (CET), under opinion No. 7.856.162. The results showed that the sample consisted of 109 students from the 6th to 9th grades of elementary school, with a predominance of 8th-grade students (40.37%), followed by 7th (22.94%), 6th (20.18%), and 9th (16.51%). There was a balance between genders, with 55 female participants (50.5%) and 54 male participants (49.5%). The students were enrolled in Juarez Tapety School (34.9%) and Visconde da Parnaíba School (65.1%). Regarding nutritional classification, most students were underweight (56.0%), followed by those with normal weight (36.7%), while overweight and obesity cases were less frequent (a total of 7.3%). Furthermore, 67.0% of the participants had no school absences, indicating good attendance among the evaluated students. These findings suggest that participation frequency directly influences anthropometric indicators, with better outcomes observed among more active students. The nurse interviewed highlighted the importance of educational initiatives and the integration between the health and education sectors to promote physical activity and prevent metabolic disorders. In conclusion, continuous monitoring and the active involvement of nurses in promoting physical activity are fundamental for preventing metabolic disorders and strengthening child health through collaboration among schools, families, and health services.