Body Composition and Non-invasive Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Urban and Rural Students: The Impact of Regular Physical Activity and Diet Behavior

Aims: This study aims to investigate and compare these factors among children, including physical activity time, blood pressure, and screen time, in both urban and rural areas, utilizing non-invasive methods related to cardiovascular risk. Study Design: We proposed an ex-post-facto and quantitative study. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Students selected from two regions of Rondônia (Brazil), between August 2023 and December 2023. Methodology: After we recruited a total of 1045 schoolchildren aged 8 to 14 years, with 545 in the urban area and 500 in the rural area. The "Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire" (QQFA) assessed the quality and quantity of food consumed over a year. Additionally, the "Self-Administered Physical Activity" (SAPAC) questionnaire evaluated daily physical activity time and sedentary behavior. Body composition of the children was also assessed. Results: Children in rural areas demonstrated higher levels of physical activity (p < 0.05), with greater intensity (p < 0.05), and exhibited a preference for natural foods, including animal fat and unprocessed juices (p < 0.05). Moreover, they displayed lower body fat accumulation (p < 0.05), lower body mass (p < 0.05), lower BMI (p < 0.05), smaller waist circumference (p < 0.05), and improved waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) and waist-to-height ratio (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in blood pressure values (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Non-invasive factors related to the development of cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent among urban schoolchildren compared to their rural counterparts. These factors are associated with a sedentary lifestyle and the quality and quantity of food consumed.