Relación entre la ingesta de alimentos procesados y los parámetros antropométricos en escolares de la escuela particular San José de la ciudad de Portoviejo en el periodo de mayo - agosto del 2022.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to establish the relationship between the intake of processed foods and anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren from the Escuela Particular San José in the city of Portoviejo. The methodology used was a non-experimental descriptive design with a quantitative cross-sectional approach, for which a study sample was obtained of 77 children, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among the results, it was found that there is a relationship between the intake of dairy products and sweets; compared to fruits, vegetables, bread and cereals, meat and poultry, fish and shellfish; Beans; egg; and almond, and packaged foods with anthropometric data of body mass index for age, weight for age, and height for age. It should be noted that the latter is not related to the intake of packaged products. Regarding the frequency of consumption of processed foods, 54% consume them 1 to 2 times a week, and 46% every 15 days. Therefore, it is recommended that, in order to prevent future health diseases, guidance talks should be held on a healthy lifestyle, diet modification, and physical activity. In turn, school feeding programs should be implemented that collaborate with the importance of healthy eating.