Composição corporal, pico de velocidade de crescimento, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e qualidade de vida de crianças com sintomas de TDAH no ambiente escolar

Abstract

The worldwide prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in schoolchildren is around 8%. Negative affectivity, problems in school and social life and the relationship with obesity are aspects that can directly influence the life of a child with ADHD. The objective of this study was to identify the presence of ADHD symptoms and associate parameters of anthropometric measurements, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL of school children with and without ADHD symptoms. The study included 82 children from public schools, of both sexes, aged between 6 and 12 years. Socioeconomic questionnaire, assessment of ADHD symptoms (MTA-SNAP-IV), health-related quality of life (PEDsQLM4.0), anthropometric measurements were applied: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), skinfolds, peak height velocity (PHV) and 6-minute running test for cardiorespiratory fitness. The results showed the prevalence of ADHD symptoms was 29%, with the majority being female (n=20, 83.3%). Waist circumference (Δ= +4.27cm, p=0.035), TC (Δ= +3.37cm, p=0.005) and PHV (Δ= +0.62, p=0.014) were higher in children with ADHD symptoms. BMI classification, 83% of children with ADHD were eutrophic (p=0.001). The emotional aspect of QOL score was negatively associated with the MTA-SNAP-IV score (β= -0.136, p=0.021). It was possible to detect symptoms of ADHD in children in the school environment and the need to direct attention to girls, since ADHD can perpetuate into adulthood. In addition, efforts are being made to prevent the increase in obesity among children at this stage of development. With regard to the emotional aspects of the child, the school can immediately include them in the specialized care that exists in public schools and, thus, minimize damage to their development, psychosocial interaction and quality of life.