Nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of preschool children assisted under Family Health Program in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazi

Abstract

Design of the study: survey cross sectionalObjectives: To assess the nutritional status of preschool children using anthropometric measurements.Methods: Anthropometric data for weight, height, skinfolds and circumferences and anthropometric dataof the birth and breastfeeding from a representative sample of preschool children aged between 2 and 5years, of both sexes, belonging to families enrolled in Family Health Program linked to the Health CareCenter/University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine were collected.Results: The data obtained showed 11% of children in surveillance for low BMI for age, 16,8% in surveillance for high BMI for age and 9% overweight, and BMI data above appropriate to age more prevalent inboys (p=0,03). All circumference measurements differed between the groups with low, adequate or highBMI for age and were higher in children with high BMI for age (p <0,01). Measures of skinfold thicknessand percentage of body fat also had higher values for the group of children considered at high BMI for age,but did not differ between children in groups with low BMI or appropriate for age. The data for the periodof birth and breastfeeding the mother's age at birth of the child does not vary between groups, as well asperiods of exclusive breastfeeding and total. However, birth length tends to be higher in the overweight (p= 0,22) and birth weight varied significantly (p = 0,04) between groups was lower in the group of childrenwith low BMI age.Conclusions: The study allowed us to observe more children with high BMI for age or overweight thanchildren with low BMI for age, in addition, all anthropometric measures and body fat percentages werehigher in children with higher BMI for age. These data agree with the national prevalence of childhoodobesity and contribute to the mapping of the nutritional transition underway in the country.