Nutritional status of schoolchildren in the public schools of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v33i1.6349

Abstract

The assessment of nutritional status makes it possible to detect the occurrence of nutritional disorders. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of schoolchildren in the public schools. The survey included students from 6 to 16 years old, of both genders, from 27 public schools. The assessment of nutritional status was performed by Body Mass Index (BMI). A total of 8141 students participated in the survey. The majority (59.30%) of students had adequate weight, 15.51% had overweight, 14.29% obesity, 6.44% risk for low weight and 4.46% had low weight. The age group of 6 to 8 years old showed the highest percentages of overweight (16.76%) and obesity (16.50%), while the age group of 9 to 11 years old showed the highest percentage of low weight (6.33%). The group of 12 to 16 years old showed the highest percentage of appropriate weight (62.50%) and risk for low weight (9.08%). Statistical analysis showed significant associations between the variables. These results are consistent with the nutritional transition process that may compromise growth, school performance and quality of life of students.