<b>Nutrition status of municipal schoolchildren in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v33i1.7636

Abstract

The nutrition status of schoolchildren in municipal schools in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil is provided and evaluated. The present transversal investigation, featuring primary data collection, comprised 6,156 schoolchildren from 15 municipal schools in Maringá, 53.1% males and 46.9% females, within the 6-16 years old age bracket. The schoolchildren’s nutritional status was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), and most (62.2%) had adequate weight. Excess weight and obesity were verified in 24.1% of children, with a higher predominance for the 6-8 years old age bracket and without any difference with regard to gender. Malnutrition and malnutrition risk were reported in 13.6%, with a high prevalence for 9-11 year olds and 12-16 year olds. Results show the need to follow up and specifically intervene so that changes in children’s nutrition status during the schooling years can be prevented.