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ABSTRACT The Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Children and Adolescents was developed by dietitians, physicians, and pediatric hematologists from 10 Brazilian reference centers in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The aim was to emphasize the importance of nutritional status and body composition during treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to patient´s nutritional assessment. This consensus is intended to improve and standardize nutrition therapy during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The consensus was approved by the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Objective: To assess the carotid intima-media thickness and factors associated with cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics) with 55 patients (60% males) with a median age of 11.9 years (I25–I75: 9.2–14.8 years). Of the 55 patients, 43 were on conservative treatment and 12 were on dialysis. Serum laboratory parameters (creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol and fractions, and triglycerides), nutritional status (z-score of body mass index, z-score of height/age), body fat (fat percentage and waist circumference), and blood pressure levels were evaluated. The carotid intima-media thickness measure was evaluated by a single ultrasonographer and compared with percentiles established according to gender and height. Data collection was performed between May 2015 and March 2016. Results: Of the children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease, 74.5% (95% CI: 61.0; 85.3) showed an increase (>P95) in carotid intima-media thickness. In patients with stages I and II hypertension, 90.9% had increased carotid intima-media thickness. Nutritional status, body fat and laboratory tests were not associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness. After multivariate adjustment, only puberty (PR = 1.30, p = 0.037) and stages I and II arterial hypertension (PR = 1.42, p = 0.011) were independently associated with carotid intima-media thickness alterations. Conclusion: The prevalence of increased carotid thickness was high in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Puberty and arterial hypertension were independently associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness. Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar a espessura médio-intimal da carótida e os fatores associados à doença cardiovascular em crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica. Material e métodos: Estudo observacional transversal feito na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (ambulatórios de doença renal crônica) com 55 pacientes (60% do sexo masculino) com mediana de 11,9 anos (I25-I75: 9,2–14,8). Dos 55 pacientes, 43 estavam em tratamento conservador e 12 em terapia dialítica. Foram avaliados os parâmetros laboratoriais séricos (creatinina, ácido úrico, proteína C-reativa, colesterol total e frações e triglicérides), estado nutricional (escore z de índice de massa corpórea, escore z de estatura/idade), gordura corporal (percentual de gordura e circunferência abdominal) e pressão arterial. A medida da espessura médio-intimal da carótida foi avaliada por um único ultrassonografista e comparada com percentis estabelecidos de acordo com o sexo e a estatura. A coleta de dados foi feita entre maio de 2015 e março de 2016. Resultados: Das crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica, 74,5% (IC 95%: 61,0; 85,3) apresentaram aumento (> P95) da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Nos pacientes com hipertensão arterial estágios I e II, 90,9% apresentaram aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. O estado nutricional, a gordura corporal e os exames laboratoriais não apresentaram associação com o aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Após ajuste multivariado, apenas a puberdade (RP = 1,30; p = 0,037) e a hipertensão arterial estágios I e II (RP = 1,42; p = 0,011) mostraram-se independentemente associados à alteração da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Conclusão: A prevalência do aumento da espessura da carótida foi elevada em crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica. A puberdade e a hipertensão arterial mostraram-se independentemente associadas ao aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Cardiovascular diseases, Carotid intima-media thickness, Adolescents, Children, Palavras-chave: Insuficiência renal crônica, Doenças cardiovasculares, Espessura intima-média carotídea, Adolescentes, Crianças

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with inadequate milk consumption among adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the National School Health Survey (2012), a Brazilian survey carried out using a self-administered questionnaire in a representative sample of 9th-grade students from public and private schools. The frequency of milk intake and its association with socio-demographic characteristics, food consumption and physical activity were estimated. A descriptive and inferential analysis of factors associated with inadequate milk consumption (no consumption at least one of the seven days of the week) was performed. A multiple logistic model was adjusted to control confounders. Results: The sample included 108,828 adolescents and inadequate milk consumption ocurred in 58.9%. The final model included nine variables independently associated with inadequate milk intake: breakfast frequency less than 4 days per week (odds ratio [OR]=2.40; p

Objective: To evaluate bone mass accrual and determine the influence of clinical, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters on bone mass. Methods: A cohort study including 35 prepubertal HIV-infected children, between 7 and 12 years, attended at a referral center. At time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), patients were assessed according to clinical, anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). At T2, patients were divided into prepubertal and pubertal. Results: Despite the increase in bone mass absolute values, there was no improvement in lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) Z-score (p = 0.512) and worsening in total body BMD (TBMD) Z-score (p = 0.040). Pubertal patients (n = 19) showed higher bone mineral content (BMC) (p = 0.001), TBMD (p = 0.006) and LSBMD (p = 0.002) compared to prepubertal patients. After multivariate linear regression analysis, the predictors of bone mass in T1 were age, BMI and HA Z-scores for BMC; BMI Z-score, adequate serum magnesium concentration and dietary calcium intake for TBMD; adequate serum concentration of magnesium, BMI and HA Z-scores for LSBMD. In T2, age, total body fat and lean body mass (kg) for BMC; BMI Z-score and puberty for TBMD; dietary fat intake, BMI Z-score for BMD and puberty for LSBMD. Conclusion: HIV-infected children have compromised bone mass and the presence of puberty seems to provide suitability of these parameters. Adequate intake of calcium and fat appears to be protective for proper bone mass accumulation factor, as well as monitoring nutritional status and serum magnesium concentration. Keywords: HIV, Child, Body composition, Bone mineral density

Objective: This study aims to assess the nutritional status of selenium, copper and zinc; and also the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of HIV-infected children compared to a control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with prepubertal HIV-infected children (n = 51) and their healthy siblings (n = 32). All biochemical measurements including plasma selenium, serum copper levels, serum and erythrocyte zinc levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated according to dietary, clinical and biochemical parameters. Results: Compared to the control group, the HIV-infected children had lower z-score values for height-for-age (p = 0.0006), higher prevalence of stunting (11.8%) (p = 0.047), lower selenium levels (p = 0.0006) and higher copper levels (p = 0.019). No difference was found concerning superoxide dismutase activity (p > 0.05). The HIV-infected group presented a higher proportion (45.1%) of children with zinc intakes below the estimated average requirement (p = 0.014); however, no association with zinc biochemical parameters was found. Conclusion: HIV-infected children have an inadequate selenium and copper nutritional status, which could influence the progression to AIDS. An adequate micronutrient status could improve the clinical conditions in these patients and minimize free radical production and cellular oxidative stress. Keywords: Antioxidants, HIV and nutrition, Oxidative stress, Trace elements

OBJECTIVE: To identify lipodystrophy in prepubertal HIV-infected children using anthropometric parameters and body composition assessment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 40 prepubertal HIV-infected children of both genders seen at the Care Center of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from August to December 2008. Age, clinical and immunological status, prophylaxis, transmission and highly active antiretroviral therapy were recorded. Body mass index z-score and height-for-age z-score were calculated to characterize the nutritional status. Circumferences were measured with flexible tape and skinfolds were assessed by an adipometry. Fat mass and lean mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Presence of clinical signs of lipodystrophy was assessed by a trained clinician. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS: The mean age and standard deviation were 9.8 (1.2) years, 50% were girls and 82.5% children from B and C categories. Clinical lipodystrophy and dislypidemia were present in 27.5% and 70%, respectively. The trunk to arm ratio and the limb to trunk ratio had positive association with lipodystrophy. Patients with lipodystrophy had short stature, higher triglycerides values and lower HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The ratios obtained by skinfolds and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements can be considered as indicators of preclinical lipodystrophy. The cutoff points have not been determined yet; however, continuous assessment may be useful to identify early body composition changes.

FUNDAMENTO: O excesso de peso na adolescência é fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares na vida adulta. OBJETIVO: Estudar a associação dos fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRC) em adolescentes com excesso de peso e eutróficos, de ambos os sexos, de 14 a 19 anos em escolas públicas. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle com 163 adolescentes com excesso de peso e 151 eutróficos. Análise de regressão logística múltipla foi utilizada para avaliar as associações entre excesso de peso e os FRC (perfil lipídico, pressão arterial e insulina basal). Um conjunto de FRC foi definido para cada indivíduo, variando de 0 (nenhuma das condições) até 6 (presença de todas essas condições). RESULTADOS: Adolescentes com excesso de peso (índice de massa corporal > percentil 85) apresentaram maiores frequências dos FRC quando comparados ao grupo de eutróficos. Os FRC associados ao excesso de peso foram HDLc < 35 mg/dl (OR = 3,41; IC: 1,24-9,38), triglicérides > 150 mg/dl (OR = 3,04; IC: 1,01-9,13), insulina basal alterada > 15 µU/ml (OR = 8,65; IC: 4,03-18,56) e pressão arterial alterada (OR = 3,69; IC: 1,76-7,72). Entre os adolescentes com excesso de peso, 22,09% tinham mais do que três fatores de risco, enquanto que entre os eutróficos, este percentual foi de 6,12%. CONCLUSÃO: Adolescentes com excesso de peso apresentaram fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares. Ressalta-se a necessidade de programas e políticas de diagnóstico e de tratamento, a fim de reduzir os riscos de morbimortalidade na idade adulta.BACKGROUND: Overweight in adolescence is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in overweight and normal-weight adolescents of both genders aged from 14 to 19 years, attending public schools. METHODS: Case-control study including 163 overweight and 151 normal-weight adolescents. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between overweight and CRF (lipid profile, blood pressure and baseline insulin level). A set of CRF was defined for each individual, ranging from 0 (no risk factors) to 6 (all risk factors present). RESULTS: Overweight adolescents (body mass index > 85th percentile) presented a higher frequency of CRF in comparison to the normal- weight group. The CRF associated with overweight were HDLc < 35 mg/dl (OR = 3.41; CI: 1.24-9.38), triglycerides > 150 mg/dl (OR = 3.04; CI: 1.01-9.13), abnormal baseline insulin levels > 15 µU/ml (OR = 8.65; CI: 4.03-18.56) and abnormal blood pressure (OR = 3.69; CI: 1.76-7.72). Among overweight adolescents, 22.09% had more than three risk factors, whereas this percentage dropped to 6.12% among normal-weight adolescents. CONCLUSION: Overweight adolescents presented risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The need for programs and policies targeted at the diagnosis and treatment of this condition is pointed out in order to reduce the risks of morbidity and mortality in adulthood.

OBJETIVO: Discutir os fatores de risco da aterosclerose na pediatria e as recomendações de dieta e exercício físico e, principalmente, o tratamento medicamentoso de anormalidades lipídicas de alto risco. FONTES DOS DADOS: Os dados foram obtidos por meio de artigos indexados na MEDLINE, publicados nos últimos 5 anos. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Crianças com dislipidemia grave ou outros fatores de risco, como história familiar de doença cardiovascular precoce ou outros sinais de síndrome metabólica, podem necessitar de tratamento com drogas hipolipemiantes. Novas recomendações do consenso americano indicam tratamento medicamentoso antes dos 10 anos de idade, dependendo da magnitude de outros fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular. Cabe aos pediatras saber quando diagnosticar dislipidemia, quando indicar o tratamento medicamentoso e quais as drogas que podem ser utilizadas em crianças e adolescentes com menor risco e prejuízo ao seu desenvolvimento. CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento da dislipidemia deve ser inicialmente realizado sempre por meio de mudanças nos hábitos de vida, dando-se ênfase à prevenção. Crianças com anormalidades lipídicas de alto risco merecem tratamento medicamentoso. A decisão a ser tomada junto com os pais sempre deve respeitar os riscos e os benefícios que o tratamento acarretará ao paciente.OBJECTIVE: To discuss risk factors of atherosclerosis in pediatrics, dietary and physical activity guidelines, and, mainly, drug treatment of high-risk lipid abnormalities. SOURCES: Data were obtained from articles indexed in MEDLINE, published over the last 5 years. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Children with severe dyslipidemia or additional risk factors such as family history of early cardiovascular disease or other signs of metabolic syndrome may need treatment with hypolipidemic drugs. New recommendations from the U.S. guidelines indicate drug treatment before the age of 10 years according to the magnitude of the additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Pediatricians should know when to diagnose dyslipidemia, when to indicate drug treatment and which medication can be used in children and adolescents with the least risk or harm to their development. CONCLUSIONS: The first-line treatment of dyslipidemia consists of lifestyle changes, focusing on prevention. Children with high-risk lipid abnormalities should be considered for drug treatment. Decisions to be made together with the parents must be evaluated taking into consideration risks and benefits of the medication to the patient.

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever as principais causas de internação e doenças associadas em crianças gravemente desnutridas (DEP), avaliar a mortalidade, evolução antropométrica e terapia nutricional, utilizando protocolo da Organização Mundial de Saúde - OMS). Em estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e transversal, avaliou-se 191 prontuários de crianças portadoras de DEP grave. Utilizou-se os indicadores antropométricos na forma de escore-z (peso/idade-ZP, estatura/idade-ZE e peso/estatura-ZPE) para classificação e avaliação da evolução nutricional durante a internação. As crianças foram divididas em 3 grupos (G): GI (desnutrição primária-30,9%), GII (desnutrição secundária-51,7%) e GIII (crianças que foram admitidas como GI e que durante a internação identificou-se alguma doença associada a DEP - 12%). A terapia nutricional baseou-se nas normas da OMS, 1999, com algumas modificações. Utilizou-se sempre fórmulas industrializadas: isenta de lactose (crianças com diarréia e na fase de estabilização), baixo teor de lactose (crianças sem diarréia e na fase de recuperação) e hidrolisado de proteínas do soro de leite de vaca (crianças com diarréia crônica e/ou sepse). Análise estatística: teste t-student, qui-quadrado e regressão linear simples. A mediana de idade foi de 10,3 meses e o índice de letalidade de 4,2%. As crianças do GI e GII eram mais velhas (11vs12vs7 meses,p=0,02) e permaneceram menos tempo internadas do que as do G III (20vs22vs37 dias,p=0,010). O risco de morte no GIII foi duas vezes maior (GIII>GII+GI; 8,7% vs 3,6%, p=0,25). Pneumonia, diarréia e baixo ganho ponderal foram os diagnósticos mais freqüentes a admissão. Sonda foi utilizada com maior freqüência no GII e GIII em relação ao GI (p=0,004). Nutrição parenteral foi indicada em apenas 5,7% das crianças (GII+GIII>GI,p=0,037). Intolerância a dieta inicialmente instituída foi observada em apenas 20% das crianças. Observou-se 87%, 74,1% e 22% de melhora em relação ao ZPE, ZP e ZE, respectivamente. O ZP no GI e o ZPE no GIII foram os indicadores que mostraram melhora mais efetiva durante a internação. O protocolo modificado da WHO foi efetivo no tratamento interprofissional de crianças portadoras de DEP grave, resultando em boa reabilitação nutricional com baixos índices de mortalidade. Observou-se alto percentual de crianças admitidas como DEP primário que tinham alguma doença associada. O atraso no diagnóstico pode ser responsável pelo maior tempo de internação e dos índices de mortalidade.To describe the main causes for internation and associated diseases in severe malnourished children. To evaluate mortality rate, anthropometric development and nutritional therapy with the use of World Health Organization guidelines (WHO) were assessed. In a cross-sectional retrospective study 191 hospitalized malnourished children were assessed. To classify and evaluate nutritional rehabilitation Z-score was used: weight-for-age (ZW), height-for-age(ZH) and weight-for-height(ZWH). The children were divided in three groups (G): GI (primary malnutrition-30,9%), GII (secondary malnutrition-51,7%) and GIII (children who were admitted as GI but during internation had an identified chronic disease-12%). Nutritional therapy used was based on WHO guidelines, with slight modifications. The formulas chosen were all industrialized: lactose-free polymeric formula (PLF) for children with diarrhea, low lactose polymeric formula (PLL) for children without diarrhea and cow’s milk hydrolysate (H) for sepsis or chronic diarrhea. In the rehabilitation phase, all the children used PLL formula. Statistical analysis: Student’s, chi-square tests, simple linear regression. The median age and mortality rate were 10,3 months and 4,2%, respectively. The GI and GII children were older than GIII (11vs12vs7months,p=0,02) and had shorter length of stay (20vs22vs37days,p=0,010). Mortality risks in GIII were twice as frequent as in GI+GII. Pneumonia, diarrhea and poor weight gain were the main diagnosis at admission. Tubes were used more frequently in GII+GIII than GI (p=0,004). Parenteral nutrition was indicated in 5,7% of children, more often in GIII than GI+GII (p=0,037). Tolerance of the initial formula wasn’t satisfactory in 20% of the children. An improvement of 87% ZWH, 74,1% ZW and 22% was observed. ZW in GI and ZWH in GIII were the indices that showed the most effective gain during hospital stay. The modified WHO guidelines were effective in the multiprofessional treatment of malnourished children, resulting in good nutritional rehabilitation with low mortality rates. A high percentage of children admitted as primary malnutrition who had a chronic disease diagnosed was observed. The late diagnosis may be responsible for the high length of stay, formula intolerance and mortality risk.

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever as principais causas de internação e doenças associadas em crianças gravemente desnutridas (DEP), avaliar a mortalidade, evolução antropométrica e terapia nutricional, utilizando protocolo da Organização Mundial de Saúde - OMS). Em estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e transversal, avaliou-se 191 prontuários de crianças portadoras de DEP grave. Utilizou-se os indicadores antropométricos na forma de escore-z (peso/idade-ZP, estatura/idade-ZE e peso/estatura-ZPE) para classificação e avaliação da evolução nutricional durante a internação. As crianças foram divididas em 3 grupos (G): GI (desnutrição primária-30,9%), GII (desnutrição secundária-51,7%) e GIII (crianças que foram admitidas como GI e que durante a internação identificou-se alguma doença associada a DEP - 12%). A terapia nutricional baseou-se nas normas da OMS, 1999, com algumas modificações. Utilizou-se sempre fórmulas industrializadas: isenta de lactose (crianças com diarréia e na fase de estabilização), baixo teor de lactose (crianças sem diarréia e na fase de recuperação) e hidrolisado de proteínas do soro de leite de vaca (crianças com diarréia crônica e/ou sepse). Análise estatística: teste t-student, qui-quadrado e regressão linear simples. A mediana de idade foi de 10,3 meses e o índice de letalidade de 4,2%. As crianças do GI e GII eram mais velhas (11vs12vs7 meses,p=0,02) e permaneceram menos tempo internadas do que as do G III (20vs22vs37 dias,p=0,010). O risco de morte no GIII foi duas vezes maior (GIII>GII+GI; 8,7% vs 3,6%, p=0,25). Pneumonia, diarréia e baixo ganho ponderal foram os diagnósticos mais freqüentes a admissão. Sonda foi utilizada com maior freqüência no GII e GIII em relação ao GI (p=0,004). Nutrição parenteral foi indicada em apenas 5,7% das crianças (GII+GIII>GI,p=0,037). Intolerância a dieta inicialmente instituída foi observada em apenas 20% das crianças. Observou-se 87%, 74,1% e 22% de melhora em relação ao ZPE, ZP e ZE, respectivamente. O ZP no GI e o ZPE no GIII foram os indicadores que mostraram melhora mais efetiva durante a internação. O protocolo modificado da WHO foi efetivo no tratamento interprofissional de crianças portadoras de DEP grave, resultando em boa reabilitação nutricional com baixos índices de mortalidade. Observou-se alto percentual de crianças admitidas como DEP primário que tinham alguma doença associada. O atraso no diagnóstico pode ser responsável pelo maior tempo de internação e dos índices de mortalidade.

OBJECTIVE: To identify lipodystrophy in prepubertal HIV-infected children using anthropometric parameters and body composition assessment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 40 prepubertal HIV-infected children of both genders seen at the Care Center of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from August to December 2008. Age, clinical and immunological status, prophylaxis, transmission and highly active antiretroviral therapy were recorded. Body mass index z-score and height-for-age z-score were calculated to characterize the nutritional status. Circumferences were measured with flexible tape and skinfolds were assessed by an adipometry. Fat mass and lean mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Presence of clinical signs of lipodystrophy was assessed by a trained clinician. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS: The mean age and standard deviation were 9.8 (1.2) years, 50% were girls and 82.5% children from B and C categories. Clinical lipodystrophy and dislypidemia were present in 27.5% and 70%, respectively. The trunk to arm ratio and the limb to trunk ratio had positive association with lipodystrophy. Patients with lipodystrophy had short stature, higher triglycerides values and lower HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The ratios obtained by skinfolds and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements can be considered as indicators of preclinical lipodystrophy. The cutoff points have not been determined yet; however, continuous assessment may be useful to identify early body composition changes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e identificar os fatores associados ao ganho de peso rápido em pré-escolares. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado entre fevereiro e dezembro de 2014, com 136 crianças entre 24 e 35 meses de idade frequentadoras de creches públicas do município de Mogi das Cruzes. Foram realizadas entrevistas com as mães para caracterização clínica, sociodemográfica e antropometria das crianças. Considerou-se ganho de peso rápido quando as crianças apresentaram diferença superior a 0,67 entre o escore Z de peso para idade do nascimento à avaliação. Foi ajustado modelo de regressão logística para fatores associados ao ganho de peso rápido. Resultados: Do total de crianças avaliadas, 50 (36,8%) apresentaram ganho de peso rápido e 36 (26,5%) excesso de peso. Destas, 22 crianças eram do grupo ganho de peso rápido. O maior tempo total do aleitamento materno (OR 0,94, IC95% 0,88-0,99; p=0,031) foi identificado como fator de proteção e o baixo nível socioeconômico (OR 4,18, IC95% 1,04-18,60; p=0,044), como fator de risco para ganho de peso rápido. Conclusões: Encontrou-se alta prevalência de ganho de peso rápido e de excesso de peso entre pré-escolares no terceiro ano de vida frequentadores de creches públicas. Incentivar a prática do aleitamento materno de crianças nos primeiros anos de vida e orientar a alimentação adequada, principalmente nas famílias de baixo nível socioeconômico, contribui potencialmente para a redução do ganho de peso rápido e, consequentemente, de futuras complicações metabólicas do excesso de peso.

Objective: To study risk factors for overweight among Brazilian adolescents of low-income families.Design: Case–control study of obese and non-obese adolescents.Setting: Anthropometric survey including 1420 students (aged 14–19 years) attending a public high school in São Paulo, Brazil.Methods: Selection of 83 overweight (body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile) and 89 non-overweight (BMI >5th percentile and <85th percentile) subjects, frequency-matched by age, gender, pubertal development and socio-economic status. Among the nutritional, familial and behavioural data available, five covariates (parents' obesity, adolescents' past obesity, to have a best friend, dietary restriction and habit of napping) were included in the fitted hierarchical conditional logistic regression models.Measurements: Parents or guardians and adolescents were weighed, measured and answered a pre-tested questionnaire applied by trained nutritionists and paediatricians.Results: The prevalence of overweight was 15.2%. As previous risks, obese parents and obesity during infancy presented odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 2.23 (1.15–4.35) and 3.60 (1.47–8.80), respectively. As concurrent factors, the habit of napping, to have a best friend and reported dietary restriction presented OR (95% CI) of 3.43 (1.32–8.92), 5.15 (1.76–15.07) and 7.26 (2.95–17.88), respectively. Dietary patterns, frequency of obesogenic foods and other physical activity indicators presented no statistical significance.Conclusion: In case–control studies, OR may overestimate the true risks. Parents' obesity and previous childhood obesity were identified as risk factors; therefore these factors should be the target for preventive programmes and policies in order to prevent the burden of obesity in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]