THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD OBESITY.

Abstract

Childhood Obesity is a chronic disease that consists of the accumulation of adipose tissue in the body and that increases morbidity and mortality rates. It has now become an epidemic in the country, with an estimated 6.4 million children under 10 years of age being overweight and of these, about 3.1 million have already progressed to obesity. The general objective was to investigate the importance of physical education in the prevention of Childhood Obesity and the factors that contribute to the development of the disease. This is a descriptive and transversal research, with a qualitative characteristic, which was used as a collection technique a questionnaire with closed questions, carried out with students from the 1st to the 5th year, from 2 state schools, in the municipality of Monte Azul - MG. As a result, there are several factors that contribute to the development of childhood obesity and Physical Education is essential for the prevention of this comorbidity. It was found in this study the influence of the environment in which the child is inserted in the eating habits and how the parents and caregivers suggest in the feeding of the children. Furthermore, it is necessary that the treatment of childhood obesity is through a multifactorial team, involving the family, health professionals, the school, above all, Physical Education professionals.