Coeficiente intelectual de niños escolarizados en instituciones públicas de las zonas nororiental y noroccidental de Medellín según el nivel de seguridad alimentaria del hogar y condiciones socieconómicas

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between school-aged children intelligence quotient and their household food security levels and socioeconomic conditions. Methodology: Cross-sectional analysis with a randomly selected group of 423 school-aged children enrolled in 41 public schools located in the northeast and northwest areas of Medellin, Colombia. The intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV). Household food security was assessed using the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale. Results: There were significant differences (p<0,001) between children IQ in household with good food security (mean: 93.6 ± 12.7) and severe household food insecurity (mean: 87.5 ± 15.4). The lower IQ scores were explained partly by diminished household food insecurity and socioeconomic conditions. Conclusions: To live under unfavorable environmental conditions predicts children cognitive problems and these effects are bigger if the families experiencing food insecurity or hunger.