Anthropometric and biochemical assessment of nutritional status and dietary intake in school children aged 6-14 years, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a global epidemic. School age and adolescence are critical stages for the implementation of eating and lifestyle habits. To assess anthropometric and biochemical assessment of nutritional status and dietary intake in children, their relationship with socioeconomic factors and georeferencing. Cross-sectional study in schoolchildren aged 6-14 years from the District of General Pueyrredon, during August-November 2013. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall interview, and georeferencing was done using the gvSIG software. A total of 1296 children were included for anthropometric and socioeconomic assessment. A sub-sample included 362 children for intake and biochemical parameters. Overweight was observed in42.97% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.3-45.7) and obesity, in 18.5% (95% CI: 16.320.5). Breakfast was related to a lower risk for overweight (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) and obesity (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Attending high school was related to a lower prevalence of weight excess (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7); male sex posed a higher risk for obesity (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.3). Also, 4.44% of participants had anemia; 19.6%, hypercholesterolemia; and 21.3%, hypertriglyceridemia. Lipid and saturated fat intake was high, whereas dietary cholesterol and fiber intake was low. Geographic distribution was homogeneous. The prevalence of overweight was high. The risk for obesity was higher among boys; breakfast appeared as a protective factor against overweight/obesity. A low-fiber and high-fat intake, and high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels reveal that overnutrition is a prevalent public health problem.