Nível de atividade física associado com a asma, rinite e eczema em adolescentes de Maceió

Abstract

Adolescence, between childhood and adulthood, is a phase marked by several changes. During this period of life, adolescents' behavior becomes unstable, leaving them more vulnerable to the early onset of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic eczema (AS) are allergic NCDs, with a high impact on adolescents' quality of life. The effect of these diseases affects the quality of life of the patient and family caregivers, interfering with the growth and development of children through adolescence, school performance, and healthy daily habits, such as physical activity and exercise. Objectives: To analyze the level of physical activity and the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in adolescents in Maceió-AL. Methodology: This is a population based cross-sectional study. The sample was composed of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (population of 169,451 adolescents, confidence level of 95%, margin of error of 5%, totaling 1061 participants, and adding 20% losses). The aim was to cover all administrative regions of the capital, 80.6% of which were public schools, and 19.4% were private schools, through the application of written and validated questionnaires (Brazilian Association of Population Studies – ABEP, International Physical Activity Questionnaire – IPAQ, International Study Of Asthma And Allergies In Childhood – ISAAC, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 - PHQ-9). The inclusion criteria in the research were adolescents who had the cognitive conditions to answer the questionnaires, in addition to those responsible and participants being literate. Exclusion criteria were adolescents with serious cardiorespiratory and dermatological diseases, or failure to complete the questionnaire correctly. Results: The initial sample consisted of 823 adolescents, 52.6% (424) girls and 80.5% (663) from public schools. AR was the most prevalent disease, compared to asthma (18.3%, 145) and AS (12.8%, 97), with 36.4% (279) of adolescents. In terms of physical activity, 16.7% (110) were active, and girls with a higher prevalence of physical inactivity, 84.1% (277) did not reach the recommended level. Of the allergic diseases, adolescents with signs and symptoms of AE compared to their peers without the disease were more active: 20.2% (59.3%) with AE reaching 420 min. and 16.0% (85) without AE, meeting recommendations. The level of physical activity in adolescents with asthma was low, reaching 420 min. 13.7% (16), and 84.6% (193) adolescents with AR did not reach 420 min. per week. Among those with asthma, 120 (90.2%) had common mental disorders - CMD, among those with AR there were 214 (84.9%) and 78 (87.6%) with AS, with significance. The level of physical activity was not associated with CMD or allergic diseases. Regarding screen time, 343 (79.0%) of adolescents exposed for more than 3 hours reported having CMD. Conclusion: The research revealed a high prevalence of AR in the city of Maceió and demonstrated a significant number of adolescents who did not reach an ideal level of physical activity, especially among females. Such allergic comorbidities, especially when associated with the epidemiological and biochemical phenomenon of atopic march, can be a possible barrier for adolescents to include the practice of physical exercise in their routine, added to the knowledge of the family and health professionals regarding the benefits, linked to conventional treatment. There is a need for greater attention to this category, encouraging the practice of physical exercise in addition to other shared healthy habits. It is suggested to improve public policies aimed at the adolescent population and their families, for access and greater proximity to physical exercise and various physical activities.