Clusters of non-dietary obesogenic behaviors among adolescents in Brazil: a latent profile analysis

Objectives: To identify patterns of non-dietary obesogenic behaviors, and social and environmental factors associated with overweight and obesity (OWOB). Methods: A representative sample (n = 5520) of high school students (55.4% girls, 16.3 ± 1.0 years) from Pernambuco State, Brazil. Latent profile analyses were performed using self-reported daily sleep duration, television use, computer use, videogame use, seated time during the week and weekend days, physical activity, and active commuting to school during the week. Social and environmental factors and body mass index were included to identify classes. Multinomial analysis explored differences in social, environmental factors, and BMI by classes. Results: Five patterns were identified [Computer users (C1), Short sleepers (C2), Typical behaviors (C3), Techno-active-gamers (C4), and Lower screen engagement (C5)]. Three groups (C1, C3 and C4) included students from better social conditions and a more urbanized environments. The prevalence of OWOB was higher in C1 (34.5%; 95% CI 31.1–38.0) and in C2 (29.7%; 95% CI 26.1–33.5) compared to C5 (23.3% 95% CI 21.3–25.3). Conclusions: In one of the poorest regions of Brazil, different groups of social/environmental factors and behavior patterns emerged associated with OWOB.