Association between family structure, maternal education level, and maternal employment with sedentary lifestyle in primary school-age children

: To determine the association between family structure, maternal education level, and maternal employment with sedentary lifestyle in primary school-age children. : Data were obtained from 897 children aged 6 to 12 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information. Body mass index (BMI) was determined using the age- and gender-specific Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Children were categorized as: normal weight (5th percentile ≤ BMI < 85th percentile), at risk for overweight (85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile), overweight (≥ 95th percentile). For the analysis, overweight was defined as BMI at or above the 85th percentile for each gender. Adjusted odds ratios (adjusted ORs) for physical inactivity were determined using a logistic regression model. : The prevalence of overweight was 40.7%, and of sedentary lifestyle, 57.2%. The percentage of non-intact families was 23.5%. Approximately 48.7% of the mothers had a non-acceptable educational level, and 38.8% of the mothers worked outside of the home. The logistic regression model showed that living in a non-intact family household (adjusted OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.04-2.66) is associated with sedentary lifestyle in overweight children. In the group of normal weight children, logistic regression analysis show that living in a non-intact family, having a mother with a non-acceptable education level, and having a mother who works outside of the home were not associated with sedentary lifestyle. : Living in a non-intact family, more than low maternal educational level and having a working mother, appears to be associated with sedentary lifestyle in overweight primary school-age children. : Determinar a associação entre a estrutura familiar, o nível de escolaridade e emprego da mãe com o estilo de vida sedentário em crianças em idade escolar primá- ria. : Foram obtidos os dados de 897 crianças com idade entre 6-12 anos. Foi utili- zado um questionário para registrar as informações. O índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi determinado utilizando-se a definição específica para idade e sexo do Centro de Controle e Prevenção de Doenças. As crianças foram classificadas como: peso normal (5°-85° percentil), risco de sobrepeso (percentil ≥ 85° e < 95°), sobrepeso (percentil ≥ 95°). Para análise neste estudo, sobrepeso foi definido como IMC igual ou acima do 85° percentil para cada sexo. As razões de chance ajustadas (RCs ajustadas) foram determi- nadas para inatividade física utilizando o modelo de regressã