Abstract

LAZARO CUESTA, Lorena et al. Anthropometric and biochemical assessment of nutritional status and dietary intake in school children aged 6-14 years, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2018, vol.116, n.1, pp.e34-e46. ISSN 0325-0075.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5546/aap.2018.e34.

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a global epidemic. School age and adolescence are critical stages for the implementation of eating and lifestyle habits. Objective: To assess anthropometric and biochemical assessment of nutritional status and dietary intake in children, their relationship with socioeconomic factors and georeferencing. Methods: Cross-sectional study in schoolchildren aged 6-14 years from the District of General Pueyrredon, during August-November 2013. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall interview, and georeferencing was done using the gvSIG software. Results: A total of 1296 children were included for anthropometric and socioeconomic assessment. A sub-sample included 362 children for intake and biochemical parameters. Overweight was observed in42.97% (95% confidence interval |-#91;CI|-#93;: 40.3-45.7) and obesity, in 18.5% (95% CI: 16.320.5). Breakfast was related to a lower risk for overweight (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) and obesity (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Attending high school was related to a lower prevalence of weight excess (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7); male sex posed a higher risk for obesity (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.3). Also, 4.44% of participants had anemia; 19.6%, hypercholesterolemia; and 21.3%, hypertriglyceridemia. Lipid and saturated fat intake was high, whereas dietary cholesterol and fiber intake was low. Geographic distribution was homogeneous. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight was high. The risk for obesity was higher among boys; breakfast appeared as a protective factor against overweight/obesity. A low-fiber and high-fat intake, and high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels reveal that overnutrition is a prevalent public health problem.

Keywords : Nutritional status; Obesity; Overweight; Child nutrition; Adolescent nutrition.

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