ESTADO NUTRICIONAL Y SU ASOCIACIÓN CON LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN ESCOLARES URBANAS DE 8 A 9 AÑOS DE LA CUIDAD DE AZOGUES.

Abstract

Malnutrition is a public health problem worldwide. The National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2011-2013 shows that Ecuador is no exception, revealing this problem in 29.9% of school population and 8.6% of pre-school population. This situation is also associated with poor eating habits and reduced levels of physical activity. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the existence of association between nutritional status and physical activity in urban school children of the city of Azogues. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study, in 315 school children of 8 and 9 years, who belongs to urban schools of Azogues. A complete assessment of nutritional status in school children was performed by anthropometry, and the level of physical activity was determined by the questionnaire INTA Results: The results confirm a total prevalence of normal weight of 60.6%, compared with a rate of 20.3% overweight and obesity of 17.8% for both sexes and regardless of age. Concerning the study of physical activity variable, the results obtained demonstrate that 62.9% of children do physical exercise with moderate intensity, 36.5% do light physical activity, and just 0.6% do strenuous exercise. Also, the existence of a statistically significant association (p <0.005) between physical activity and nutritional status was found. The results obtained by linear regression (r2 = 0.765) confirm this correlation and show that physical activity influences 76.5% on nutritional status, it's to say; if the physical activity is increased, there is less chance of being overweight and obesity.