Estado nutricional, composición corporal e indicadores antropométricos de trabajadores mineros expuestos a hipoxia hipobárica crónica e intermitente a una altitud moderada (0-2500 msnm)

Abstract

Introduction. In Chile, miners are exposed to specific labor and environmental conditions. However, current regulations do not consider these conditions in the assessment of nutritional status and cardiovascular risk of this population. Objective. To describe anthropometric indicators of miners in the Coquimbo Region who are exposed to chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia at moderate altitudes (between 0 and 2500 m). Methodology. We evaluated 221 workers at 0 m, 1600 m, and 2500 m. We measured weight, height, skin fold, waist and neck circumference. With these measurements, we determined nutritional status, body composition and anthropometric indicators related to cardiovascular risk. Results. The assessed indicators showed average values higher than national ones. Furthermore, values increased by altitude. Conclusion. This study showed an alteration with the altitude in the anthropometric indicators, nutritional condition and body composition. Further studies with a high sample size are necessary to clarify these findings.