SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AND SCREEN TIME IN SCHOOLCHILDREN IN THE NORTH OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence of signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression and their relationship with sociodemographic factors, anthropometric profile, level of physical activity, and screen time of schoolchildren in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, which included 163 students aged between 8 and 16 years. Structured interviews and anthropometric assessments were used to assess screen time, physical activity, symptoms of depression and anxiety. The results showed that 92% of the children evaluated had screen time above the recommended level, 58.9% had low weight and 63.8% had an inadequate level of physical activity. The prevalence of symptoms of general anxiety and depression was 25.2% and 13.5%. The indices of these variables point to a need for interventions aimed at schoolchildren and education of guardians about the impact of these phenomena.