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Nutritional profile of primary school children in Lima and Callao, Peru
Author(s) -
Liria Maria Reyna,
Mispireta Mónica,
Lanata Claudio F.,
CreedKanashiro Hilary M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.914.5
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , anthropometry , obesity , pediatrics , population , anemia , demography , environmental health , body mass index , endocrinology , sociology
The nutritional profile of 1766 school children in grades 3 to 6 was evaluated in a random sample of 80 coeducational primary schools in Lima and Callao. Anthropometry, body fat composition, hemoglobina, food frequency and physical activity were evaluated. Results showed 20.6% children were overweight and 15.5% obese, with higher prevalences in private schools and boys. 7.7% of children had growth retardation, higher in state schools and in boys. 13.7% of children were anemic. Half of the children had little physical activity, children in public schools and boys were more active. Children with greater height for age had higher BMI, less anemia, taller mothers, fewer siblings, greater birth weight and lower SES. These children also consumed milk products less frequently and food from social programs more frequently. Overweight or obese children had mothers with greater BMI, fewer siblings, higher SES, consumed milk products more frequently with less frequent use of food from social programs. The principal nutritional problem found in these school children was overweight and obesity, followed by anemia. An important factor related to overweight and obesity in this population of children was the low level of physical activity. Funding: ILSI‐Sur Andino