Evaluación del estado nutricional en adolescentes de 15 a 18 años de los colegios "Técnico de Chiquintad", Técnico Ricaurte y "San Francisco" del cantón Cuenca, octubre 2009.

Abstract

Background. - The food trends and physical activity by sociocultural influences determine changes in nutritional status. In Ecuador, malnutrition and obesity are growing, but in the province of Azuay data are scarce. Objectives. - General: To evaluate the nutritional status of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in schools "TÉCNICO CHIQUINTAD", "TÉCNICO RICAURTE" and "SAN FRANCISCO", canton of Cuenca. Specific: To describe patterns of food intake and physical activity and its relation to nutritional status. Methodology. - It took a random sample per school, was obtained 200 adolescents, 137 men (67%) and 66 women (33%). Were collected anthropometrics measures (weight and height) and implemented individual questionnaires. Results. - 14.93% men and 13.64% of women are overweight; 2.99% of men and 4.55% of women are obese. 32.84% men and 50% of women with hypercaloric patterns consume more carbohydrates than recommended. The relationship between these patterns and nutritional status is not significant. 57.46% male students and 51.52% female made physically active “moderate”, between this and the nutritional status if there is a relationship, but between this and socioeconomic status there no. Conclusions. - A high percentage of adolescents present overweight and obese. Less than half of adolescents consumed more calories than necessary, with unbalanced food intake patterns, probably due to the increased availability of this type of diet, most adolescents practiced sports three times a week, two hours daily and influence the nutritional status.