Abstract

MOSQUERA HEREDIA, María Isabel; MOSQUERA HEREDIA, Mabely Juliana; DEARMAS DAZA, Lina María  and  BRITO REDONDO, Yeli Yelitza. Nutritional status and eating habits of children in a Public school in Valledupar. Revista médica Risaralda [online]. 2016, vol.22, n.1, pp.42-48. ISSN 0122-0667.

Introduction: Malnutrition is a major cause of cognitive deficits in children which can affect motor development and school performance; besides leading to an increased risk of diseases and generates large costs on the health system. Objetive: To determine nutritional status by anthropometry and iron profile and its association with eating habits in a population of schoolchildren 9-11 years old. Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study of 155 schoolchildren. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests to assess the status of iron metabolism. The food frequency questionnaire used in 2010 was applied ENSIN. Results: 7.1% of the children had thinness, the risk of thinness 17.4%, 18.7% overweight and 7.1% obese. With regard to the size indicator for age, 1.3% of the population was stunted, and 11.6% at risk of low height for age. According to the assessment of iron metabolism, 7.1%, 5.8% and 3.9% were classified in stages 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The low consumption of fruit was associated with risk of stunting and low consumption of sausage and viscera with alterations in iron metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that the high consumption of rice and pasta positively influences BMI indicators and Size / E. Conclusions: actions to correct inadequate food habits in children to prevent underachievement and chronic diseases in adulthood are required.

Keywords : nutritional status; eating habits; schoolchildren.

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