Ingesta dietética de vitamina D y C y su relación con las alteraciones del sueño en niños en una muestra de la provincia de Chimborazo 2022-2023

Abstract

The aim of this project was to analyze the relationship between dietary intake of vitamins D and C and sleep disturbances in children aged 8 to 13 years in the province of Chimborazo during 2022-2023. The study is a non-experimental cross-sectional design with a sample of 108 participants selected according to previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two validated instruments were used for data collection: a 24-hour food recall to assess dietary intake, providing detailed information on the consumption of foods rich in vitamins D and C, and the Bruni Sleep Disorders Scale for Children, which allowed the identification of sleep patterns and possible disorders. The statistical analysis combined descriptive statistics to characterize the study population and the Mann-Whitney U test, chosen for the non-parametric nature of the variables and its ability to compare distributions between two independent groups. The results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between the intake of these vitamins and sleep disturbance in this population. This suggests that, under the conditions studied, the participants' diet did not have a direct effect on sleep quality. The study highlights the importance of continuing research into factors that may affect sleep in children, as well as promoting a balanced diet that ensures adequate intake of essential micronutrients.