Prevalencia de malnutrición: su relación con hábitos alimenticios, actividad física y factores asociados en escolares urbanos de Cuenca. 2013

Abstract

Malnutrition is a global public health problem. Studies by the WHO (World Health Organization) indicate that Ecuador is no exception, being present in 31, 5%. (1)

Objetive: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and is relationship with: eating habits, physical activity and associated factors influenced by age and sex in urban schoolchildren of de city of Cuenca, in 2013.

Methodology: Analytical study – cross, 581 students from 5 to 12 years in urban schools in Cuenca in 2013. Show a sample obtained by conglomerates, stratified and randomized. Prior to inclusion, student representatives signed informed consent and were surveyed with validated instrument. Anthropometric to estimate the BMI measures were taken. The food habits, level of physical activity and associated factors: socioeconomic status and education, were determined based on surveys applied.

Results: of the 581 students, 71% presented healthy weight compared with 29% malnutrition. 54% of the population belonged to men and 46% women. The largest age group was 10 years with 27.84%.

The 52.82% of the food habits were regular. The 60% of physical activity was moderate. Mean Socioeconomic Status was 56.4%. There was no statistically significant relationship between malnutrition with dietary habits, physical activity, associated factors (socioeconomic status, education, type of school, school day) influenced by sex and age.

KEYWORDS: PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, FEED, MALNUTRITION, SCHOOL, EATING HABITS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS.