Elevado consumo de azúcares y grasas en niños de edad preescolar de Panamá: Estudio transversal

Abstract

Background: Child overweight is a current public health problem in Panama. Objective: To determine the nutritional status, sugar and fat consumption among preschool age children in Panamanian public kindergartens. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 100 preschool age children in three public kindergartens in the Panama District. Data was collected from January to March 2016. A semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to estimate sugar and fat consumption at school. Weight and height were measured and used to calculate BMIz according to the 2008 WHO Growth Standards. Results: Mean age ± SD was 49.6±14.0 months, 45% female, 40% overweight, 68% (95% CI, 58%-77%) reported high and very high sugar consumption (>10% total energy requirements) and 13% (95%CI, 7%-21%) reported high and very high fat consumption (>30% of total energy requirements). Geometrical mean and ±1SD for sugar consumed per week was 511.2g (282.8-924.1) and fat was 230.2g (134.3-396.0). No statistical differences were observed by nutritional status (overweight and non-overweight), age nor sex. Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of overweight, and sugar and fat consumption according to WHO recommendations. A food and nutrition policy to regulate sugar and ultra-processed soft drinks consumption in educational institutions should be established.