Estado nutricional de crianças matriculadas em uma creche filantrópica de Governador Valadares, MG

Abstract

The nutritional transition observed in Brazil has contributed to important changes in the nutritional profile of children, described by a reduction in malnutrition and a increase in overweight. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children aged 8 to 38 months enrolled in a philanthropic daycare center in the municipality of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. This is an observational, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted with 182 children. Nutritional status was assessed using the anthropometric indices weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A), and body mass index-for-age (BMI/A), classified according to the standards of the World Health Organization. According to the W/A index, 2. 7% were overweight for age and 1. 1% were underweight. Regarding BMI/A, 23. 1% of the children presented a risk of overweight, 7. 1% were overweight, 0.5% were obese, and 0% were underweight. As for H/A, 5.5% presented stunting. A significant association was found between age group and BMI/I (p = 0.015), with a higher frequency of overweight among children aged 8 to 23 months compared to children aged 24 to 38 months. We conclude that the occurrence of overweight is concerning and reinforces the importance of nutritional monitoring and the promotion of healthy eating in the first years of life.