Análisis de la composición y el valor nutricional de las loncheras de niños en edad preescolar de la Academia Naval Almirante Illingworth de la ciudad de Guayaquil durante el período octubre 2017 - febrero 2018.

Abstract

In preschool and school age, nutrition is essential to ensure optimal development and growth in children. Adequate nutrition and good eating habits prevent health problems at an early age and reduce the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases as they grow. The present study had the objective of analyzing the composition and nutritional value of the lunch boxes sent to children under 6 years of age, students of the Almirante Illingworth Naval Academy of the city of Guayaquil. The research work corresponds to a non - experimental methodological design - transversal with a descriptive and observational scope. The data collection was carried out by taking anthropometric measurements of the children, and regarding the nutritional information of the school lunch boxes, direct observation, the use of digital scales and forms to perform the determination of the nutritional value were used. It was possible to compare the studied lunch boxes with the parameters of the healthy lunch box according to the Ministry of Public Health. In conclusion, it was found that the composition of the lunch boxes influences in their nutritional value, and that none of these fits the nutritional requirements of the children.