Physical growthand social-demographic characteristics of 11 to 17 years old students from Florianópolis - SC, Brazil

Resumen

The study had the purpose of presenting a profile on physical growth and social-demographic characteristics of 11 to 17 year old students from Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. The sample consisted of 2384 students (1201 girls and 1183 boys). The study variables were social class and body mass and stature for physical growth. Statistical analyses included descriptives, Student’s t-test for independent samples and analysis of variance with two factors (age and sex), using level of significance at a=0,05. The results showed that (a) the students belonged to social classes C (33.3%) and B2 (25.5%) according to ANEP (National Association of Research Companies) categories; (b) there were statistical differences for body mass among 15 to 17 year old boys and girls and for stature from 11 to 14 years of age; (c) when stratifying by School system (public or private) and age, it was found that body mass and stature means among boys from the private system were greater for all ages, although significant differences were observed only at 12 and 16 years of age for stature and at 12, and from 14 to 17 years of age for body mass. Girls from the private system were taller than those from the public system and heavier at 16 years of age. It was concluded that boys at the end of adolescence had higher body mass and stature than girls. Both boys and girls from the private system showed a tendency for being taller and heavier than students from the public system.