Fatores relacionados à saúde de crianças, adolescentes, seus responsáveis e a associação deles com a vizinhança

Abstract

The factors related to children, adolescents and their caregivers and their association with neighborhood satisfaction, reveal that neighborhood satisfaction may play a relevant role in determining individuals’ health. The objective of this study was to verify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors of children, adolescents and their caregivers related to neighborhood satisfaction in a medium-sized town. For that purpose, a cross-sectional epidemiological study carried out with 370 individuals from Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Data collection took place in schools and anthropometry and structured interviews were conducted with the caregivers. In order to evaluate the environment, telephone interviews were conducted with the Portuguese version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. The results indicate that the majority of adults were dissatisfied with the neighborhood. The was a greater dissatisfaction with access to fun (82.4%) and greater satisfaction with the amount of known people in the neighborhood (95.4%). Children’s non-white skin color prevailed among unsatisfied caregivers and individuals with higher income were more satisfied. Neighborhood satisfaction was not associated with children’s sex, physical activity practice, age, body mass index, and waist circumference of the caregivers. Thus, in conclusion, environmental characteristics such as security, good infrastructure of the streets, suitable spaces for leisure and good living with people, are related to the satisfaction with the environment, the well-being and the health of the individuals.