Factors Associated With the Nutritional Status of Children and Their Parents: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis With Families Registered in Family Health Units, ES/2021

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health challenge, and its prevalence is increasing in most countries around the world and across all age groups. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the correspondence and factors associated with the nutritional status of children aged 7-10 years and their parents/guardians registered in Family Health Units in a metropolitan region in southeastern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was carried out in 26 Family Health Units in four municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória/ES, between July and December/2021. An anthropometric examination was performed, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. Nutritional status was classified using body mass index (BMI). Multinominal logistic regression models were tested, adopting p 30 years (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.35; 4.06), Black race/color (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.25; 6.33), and self-perceived health as regular/poor/very poor (OR: 4.12; 95% CI: 2.28; 7.42). CONCLUSION: Children's nutritional status is only associated with that of their parents/guardians, especially when they have obesity. Higher age range, Black race/color, and worse self-perceived health were associated with obesity in adults. Public policies should be implemented to tackle obesity at all levels, including the promotion of adequate nutrition, self-care regarding health, and the encouragement of physical activity within the context of primary healthcare.