Valoración del estado nutricional de escolares de una institución educativa de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The assessment of nutritional status is a process that involves evaluating food intake, growth and physical development, as well as the general health of the child; an adequate nutritional status is essential for the optimal growth and development of children. Objective: To determine the assessment of the nutritional status of preschoolers and school children of an educational institution in the city of Guayaquil. Methodology: descriptive, quantitative, prospective, cross-sectional. Population: 300 students of the educational institution. Sample: 171 preschoolers and schoolchildren who meet the inclusion criteria. Technique: survey, Instrument: questionnaire of questions. Results: Among the characteristics, minors aged 6 to 8 years (58%), male (61%), residing in urban areas (78%), mestizo ethnicity (96%) predominated; in relation to anthropometric parameters, they presented normal BMI (64%), in addition to normal height (98%), and normal weight (66%); As for the type of food, they prefer hamburgers (54%), they eat 3 to 4 portions per day (77%), 70% almost always eat meat; in reference to activities, they mostly play soccer (43%) and prefer to play on a sports field (30%). Conclusion: It is noteworthy that both in preschool and school children, a normal nutritional status is observed in the majority, while there are also certain habits that should be changed; therefore, it is necessary to continue providing nutritional education to the different age groups, to promote good eatingand living habits to prevent catastrophic diseases.