Estado nutricional y conductas asociadas a la nutrición en escolares

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze nutritional self-care behavior and nutritional status among children in two urban-zone schools in Santiago, Chile. Population and Methods: Analysis of data obtained in a transversal descriptive study of 207 volunteer children aged 9-15 y.o. in 2008, used to validate the Moore Index NutritionChild (MINC) ©. Results: For the behaviors under review, average test score among children was only 63% of expected (210 pts). Least favorable responses relate to obtaining healthy eating information through various media. Most favorable relate to food hygiene. Behavioral comparison according to nutritional status shows no correlation; average score for the full scale, for all children, was 132,2± SD 22.1 (One-way Anova). Overweight and obese children showed no significant differences in scores. Discussion and conclusion: In order to decrease the prevalence of obesity, results suggest intervention focused on acquisition of knowledge and searching of information.