Valoración de la calidad dietaria y su relación con el estado nutricional de niños de 5 a 10 años atendidos en el Centro de Salud C–Naranjal, Julio - Octubre 2021.

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to assess the dietary quality and its relationship with the nutritional status of children between the ages of 5 and 10 treated at the C-Naranjal Health Center, July-October 2021, with the participation of 250 parents and/or caregivers. To measure the quality of the diet, a survey of the frequency of consumption of food groups was applied and to determine the nutritional status of the children, the technique of taking Weight and Height was applied. The anthropometric data were analyzed by means of the AnthroPlus software and the Standard Deviation Curves provided by the World Health Organization where the Weight/Height (W/H), Height/Age (H/A) and Mass Index indicators Body/Age (BMI/A) were interpreted. This study has a correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional scope. The results of this study indicate that 54.8% are men and 45.2% are women, in the quality of the diet, 58.8% had an unhealthy diet, 24% needed changes in the diet and 17. 2% have a healthy diet, in the W/H indicator 34.4% presented normal weight while 26.8% severe acute malnutrition. In the H/A indicator, 54.8% presented normal height, 35.2% risk of delayed height and 10% chronic malnutrition. In the BMI/A indicator, 60.8% presented emaciation, 22.8% were eutrophic, 2% overweight and 14% obese. It is concluded that the quality of the diet provided by parents is decisive for the nutritional status of children, since in the cases where a low dietary quality is practiced, the results can vary from overweight and obesity to malnutrition. Therefore, it is recommended that parents and/or caregivers act with a food and nutrition coach as to encourage children to have adequate eating habits, thus improving their general state of health and nutrition.