Estado nutricional y factores asociados en adolescentes escolarizados de la Ciudad de Paute 2014

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a problem of public health both by excess as by deficit. Objective: To determine the nutritional status and associated factors of the adolescents of the city of Paute, 2014. Materials and Methods: Observational and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 314 adolescents of 12-19 years old of the schools in the city of Paute. Food intake and physical activity were determined by questionnaires. Results: The prevalence of underweight was 5.7% (95% CI 3.14 -8.26), overweight 18.5% (95% CI: 14.21 -22.79) and obesity 3.2% (95% CI: 1.25 -5.15). The 84.1% of adolescents were inactive. Low intake of dairy products (57.3%), fruits (44.9%), vegetables (80.9%), cereals (56.4%), meats (80.6%) and high intake of junk food (52.2%) were observed. Association between adolescent’s underweight and educational level of the mother was found OR=0.38 (IC95%: 0.15-0.99) p=0.04; and between overweight/obesity and residence in urban areas OR=1.90 (IC95%: 1.10-3.27) p=0.020. Other factors such as educational level of the father, sex, height, physical activity were not shown to be associated with overweight-obesity or underweight.

Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in adolescents. Educational and interventional programs to promote physical activity and good nutrition habits to get healthy lifestyles are necessary.