Influencia del estado nutricional en el desarrollo cognitivo y físico de niños de 3 - 5 años de la escuela Teresa Azucena Carrera Loor.

Abstract

Nutritional status is essential for health as it has a significant impact on cognitive and psychosocial development in the early years of life. Therefore, it is crucial that favorable nutritional conditions be provided to mothers from the gestational period to ensure the development of the developing individual. According to the World Health Organization, millions of children under five years of age face nutritional problems, whether due to low weight, short stature, or overweight. Furthermore, one in four children under five years of age suffer from stunted growth, which affects their motor and cognitive abilities, impacting their academic performance, social skills, and productivity in adulthood. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of children attending the Teresa Azucena Carrera Loor School in order to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, classifying them according to their nutritional status: underweight, normal weight, or obesity. Cognitive development is essential for a good quality of life because it allows for the development of all motor functions in addition to cognitive functions, which are responsible for the development of movements throughout life, such as walking, running, jumping, and writing. Cognitive development encompasses all learning skills, such as memory, language, attention, spatial organization, and abstract thinking. It is recommended to integrate pedagogical strategies with activities that promote healthy habits, such as nutrition workshops, school gardens, and family participation in preparing balanced meals.