Evaluación del estado nutricional en adolescentes de 15 a 18 años que asisten a los colegios Alborada y Javeriano del cantón Cuenca en el año 2011

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a crucial stage in the development of the individual and implies multiple physiological and psychological changes. The assessment of nutritional status as an indicator of health status is an important aspect in the identification of groups at risk of dietary deficiencies and excesses that may be risk factors in many of the most prevalent chronic diseases today. Objective: To evaluate nutritional status, physical activity levels and patterns of food intake in adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in schools in Cuenca Methodology: Cross-sectional study were conducted in 2 schools in Sayausí, the sample was 200 adolescents aged between 15 and 18, surveys were applied to determine the physical activity and dietary intake patterns, to determine the nutritional status was used anthropometric measures and BMI. Results: The mean age for females stood at 17.6 years with a SD of 0.807 and for males stood at 17.08 with a SD of 0,699 years. Males were the most prevalent with 59%, while females represented 41% of the population, normal nutritional status was the most prevalent accounted for 78.5% of the population. The predominant type of power was the most common diet with 37% of the population, 52% of the student population is physically active there is a 22% idle. Only sex showed association with nutritional status. Conclusions: No associations were found between intake patterns and physical activity with nutritional status in this population. The prevalence of malnutrition is high, as physical inactivity and poor dietary patterns. KEYWORDS: PREVALENCE, NUTRITIONAL-PHYSIOLOGY, TEEN, MOTOR ACTIVITY, EATING BEHAVIOR, STUDENT-STATISTICS AND FIGURES, AZUAY-ECUADOR