Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among Haitian children under 6 months of age / Los determinantes de la lactancia materna exclusiva en menores de 6 meses de edad en Haití / Determinantes do aleitamento materno exclusivo entre crianças haitianas com menos de 6 meses de idade

ABSTRACT Objective. To identify the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among children under 6 months of age from three regions in the South and Grand'Anse Departments of Haiti. Methods. Data were pooled from three cross-sectional surveys conducted yearly from 2017 to 2019 with the guardians of 638 children under 6 months of age. A non-quantitative 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess EBF the day before the survey. Using unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios, associations were assessed between EBF and several explanatory factors: infant's age and sex; maternal age, educational attainment, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), dietary diversity, number of children under 5 years of age, responsibility for the main or secondary source of income of the household, initiation of breastfeeding within one hour, knowledge of EBF duration; household severe food insecurity, socioeconomic status, dependency ratio, region, and residential zone (urban/rural). Results. Prevalence of EBF was 68% in the study sample. From the fully adjusted model, prevalence of EBF was statistically significantly higher among younger infants, mothers with larger MUAC, who met or exceeded Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), who initiated breastfeeding within one hour, who were knowledgeable of the recommendations for EBF duration, and living in the Jérémie region. Conclusions. The main determinants of EBF identified in this study attest to the importance of breastfeeding mothers' access to nutritious food for the practice and maintenance of EBF and the need for geographically equitable access to health services and education that support breastfeeding.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar cuáles son los determinantes de la lactancia materna exclusiva en menores de 6 meses de edad de tres regiones de los departamentos Sur y Grand'Anse de Haití. Métodos. Se agruparon los datos de tres encuestas transversales realizadas anualmente entre 2017 y 2019 a representantes de 638 bebés menores de 6 meses de edad. Se empleó una descripción no cuantitativa de los alimentos consumidos en las últimas 24 horas para evaluar la lactancia materna exclusiva el día anterior a la encuesta. Mediante cocientes de prevalencia ajustados y no ajustados, se evaluó la relación entre la lactancia materna exclusiva y varios factores explicativos: sobre el lactante: edad y sexo; sobre la madre: edad, nivel educativo, circunferencia del brazo media, diversidad alimentaria, número de hijos menores de 5 años y responsabilidad como fuente principal o secundaria de ingresos del hogar; inicio de la lactancia materna en un plazo de una hora después del nacimiento y conocimiento sobre la duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva; inseguridad alimentaria grave en el hogar, situación socioeconómica y tasa de dependencia; y región y zona residencial (urbana/rural). Resultados. La prevalencia de la lactancia materna exclusiva fue de 68 % en la muestra del estudio. A partir del modelo totalmente ajustado, la prevalencia de la lactancia materna exclusiva fue significativamente mayor desde un punto de vista estadístico en los bebés más pequeños, las madres con una mayor circunferencia del brazo media, la que cumplieron o excedieron la Diversidad Alimentaria Mínima para las Mujeres, las que iniciaron la lactancia materna dentro de una hora después del parto, las que conocían bien las recomendaciones sobre la duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva y las que vivían en la región de Jérémie. Conclusiones. Los principales determinantes de la lactancia materna exclusiva identificados en este estudio confirman la importancia de que las madres lactantes tengan acceso a alimentos nutritivos para la práctica y el mantenimiento de la lactancia materna exclusiva, así como la necesidad de disponer de un acceso geográfico equitativo a los servicios de salud y la educación que respaldan la lactancia materna.

RESUMO Objetivo. Identificar os determinantes do aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) entre crianças com menos de 6 meses de idade de três regiões dos departamentos Sul e Grand'Anse do Haiti. Métodos. Agruparam-se dados de três pesquisas transversais realizadas anualmente, de 2017 a 2019, com pais e responsáveis de 638 crianças com menos de 6 meses de idade. Um recordatório alimentar não quantitativo de 24 horas foi utilizado para avaliar o AME no dia anterior à pesquisa. Usando taxas não ajustadas e ajustadas de prevalência, avaliou-se a associação entre AME e diversos fatores explicativos: idade e sexo do bebê; idade da mãe, seu nível de escolaridade, circunferência do braço (CB), diversidade da dieta, número de filhos com menos de 5 anos, responsabilidade pela fonte primária ou secundária de renda da família, início do aleitamento materno na primeira hora, conhecimento sobre a duração do AME; insegurança alimentar domiciliar grave, status socioeconômico, índice de dependência, região e zona residencial (urbana/rural). Resultados. A prevalência de AME na amostra do estudo foi de 68%. Com base no modelo totalmente ajustado, a prevalência do AME foi maior, de forma estatisticamente significante, entre bebês mais jovens, mães com maior CB, que atendiam ou excediam a Diversidade Alimentar Mínima para Mulheres (MDD-W), que começaram a amamentar na primeira hora, que estavam familiarizadas com as recomendações sobre a duração do AME e que moravam na região de Jérémie. Conclusões. Os principais determinantes de AME identificados neste estudo atestam a importância do acesso das lactantes a alimentos nutritivos para a prática e a continuidade do AME, e a necessidade de acesso geograficamente equitativo a educação e serviços de saúde que apoiem o aleitamento materno.

Association between breastfeeding and overweight/obesity in schoolchildren aged 7-14 years / Associação entre aleitamento materno e sobrepeso/obesidade em escolares de 7-14 anos

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of breastfeeding (BF) and the association between occurrence/duration of BF and overweight/obesity in schoolchildren aged 7-14 years. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012-2013, on schoolchildren aged 7-14 years from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. Weight and height were measured according to procedures of the World Health Organization. Breastfeeding and sociodemographic data were obtained from a questionnaire responded by parents/guardians. BF was categorized as a dichotomous variable (yes/no) and according to duration (months). Nutritional status was evaluated according to the Z score of the body mass index per age for sex and it was categorized into two groups: normal weight (<Z score+1) and overweight/obesity (≥Z score+1). The adjusted analysis was performed by logistic regression in two age strata (age groups of 7-10 and 11-14 years). Results: 6.6% of schoolchildren had never breastfed; 16.8% had been breastfed for ≤3 months; 16.7%, for 4-6 months; and 59.9%, for ≥7 months. No statistically significant differences were found in the occurrence and duration of BF between the age groups. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 34.2%. For age groups (7-10 and 11-14 years), the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 36.7% and 29.8%, respectively. Chance of overweight/obesity for the age group of 7-10 years was lower among schoolchildren who were breastfed (OR=0.54; 95%CI 0.33-0.88), when compared with those who never breastfed. When categorized, the chance of overweight/obesity in the age group of 7-10 years was lower for duration of BF ≤3 months (OR=0.41; 95%CI 0.20-0.83), and 4-6 months (OR=0.48; 95%CI 0.28-0.82) when compared with children who never breastfed. Conclusions: BF for at least six months was associated with a lower chance of overweight/obesity for schoolchildren aged 7-10 years. No association was found for schoolchildren aged 11-14 years.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar prevalência e duração de aleitamento materno (AM) e sua associação com sobrepeso/obesidade em escolares de 7-14 anos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado em 2012-2013, com escolares de 7-14 anos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. Peso e altura foram mensurados segundo preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Dados sociodemográficos e sobre AM foram obtidos por questionários enviados aos responsáveis/cuidadores. A variável amamentação foi analisada como dicotômica (sim/não) e por duração (em meses). O perfil antropométrico foi avaliado por escore Z do índice de massa corporal (IMC) para a idade, segundo sexo, categorizado em: normal (<escore Z+1) e sobrepreso/obesidade (≥escore Z+1). Análises ajustadas foram realizadas (regressão logística) em dois estratos etários (7-10 e 11-14 anos). Resultados: 6,6% dos escolares nunca tinham sido amamentados, 16,8% foram amamentados por ≤3 meses, 16,7% por 4-6 meses e 59,9% por ≥7 meses. Não houve diferença estatística de ocorrência/duração de AM entre os grupos etários. A prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade foi 34,2%. Nos grupos etários (7-10 e 11-14 anos), a prevalência foi 36,7% e 29,8%, respectivamente. A chance de sobrepeso/obesidade nos escolares de 7-10 anos foi menor entre aqueles que tinham sido amamentados (OR=0,54; IC95% 0,33-0,88), comparando com os nunca amamentados. Quando categorizada, a chance de ter sobrepeso/obesidade nos escolares de 7-10 anos foi menor quando a duração do AM foi ≤3 meses (OR=0,41; IC95% 0,20-0,83) e 4-6 meses (OR=0,48; IC95% 0,28-0,82), em comparação à ausência de AM. Conclusões: AM por pelo menos seis meses foi associado com menor chance de sobrepeso/obesidade para escolares de 7-10 anos. Não foi observada associação para o grupo 11-14 anos.

Transtorno do espectro autista: uma revisão sistemática sobre aspectos nutricionais e eixo intestino-cérebro / Autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review about nutritional aspects and gut-brain axis

O número de indivíduos diagnosticados com o transtorno do espectro autista (TEA) registrou aumento evidente na última década. Os principais sintomas, apresentados pelo portador, são neurológicos e digestórios, estando às intervenções nutricionais dentre as terapêuticas mais promissoras para amenizar a sintomatologia clínica. Assim, objetivou-se revisar sistematicamente os estudos sobre distúrbios alimentares e do trato gastrointestinal apresentado pelo indivíduo portador do TEA, a fim de compreender como o comportamento alimentar influência na etiopatogênese e manifestações clínicas da doença, com foco no eixo intestinocérebro. Para isso realizou-se uma revisão sistemática, seguindo as diretrizes PRISMA. A partir de uma busca estruturada e abrangente em bases de dados eletrônicas, 23 estudos foram recuperados e incluídos na revisão. Os critérios de inclusão definiam ser artigos originais relacionando o TEA com alterações nutricionais e/ou com o eixo intestino-cérebro. Após análise da composição da microbiota intestinal, os estudos mostraram um quadro de desequilíbrio. Foram encontradas, também, alterações na barreira de muco e permeabilidade intestinal e alterações em proteínas envolvidas na digestão e absorção de alimentos. Dietas restritivas e a modulação da microbiota, com uso de probióticos e de antibióticos específicos, são apresentadas como estratégias terapêuticas adjuvantes promissoras. Conclui-se que o eixo intestino-cérebro está envolvido tanto na etiologia, quanto nas manifestações clínicas do TEA. Porém, não sendo certo se alterações intestinais são causa ou consequência das alterações neurológicas. Até o presente momento, a comunidade científica não tem conclusões suficientes para indicar o uso de dietas restritivas, e uso de probióticos e de antibióticos como terapêutica para o TEA.

The number of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had an evident increase in the last decade. The primary symptoms exhibited amongst these patients were mostly digestive and neurological disorders; with nutritional interventions being one of the most promising therapies to assuage this clinical symptomology. As such, following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed the research studies apropos of the ASD patients manifesting said digestive disorders, to comprehend how dietary behavior can influence the etiopathogenesis and clinical manifestations of the disease, with primary focus on the gut-brain axis. From a comprehensive and structured search through electronic databases, 23 studies were retrieved and admitted in this review. The inclusion criteria defined that there be original articles consociating ASD with nutritional disorders and/or with the gut-brain axis. These studies analyzed the composition of the intestinal flora of diagnosed patients, subsequently discerning cases of varying imbalances. Alterations in the gene expression of the proteins involved in the digestion and absorption of food, the mucous barrier and the intestinal permeability were described. Accordingly, restrictive diets and the modulation of the microbiota by administering specific anti- & probiotics were initially identified as promissory therapies. In conclusion, the gut-brain axis was observed to be a determinant factor in both the etiology and clinical symptomology of ASD - though it is still debatable the correlation of intestinal alterations with neurological changes. At present, there is no concrete scientific proof accrediting to restrictive diets and the use of specific anti- & probiotics, as successful treatments for ASD.

Factores asociados con la anemia en niños menores de tres años en Perú: análisis de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, 2007-2013 / Factors associated with anemia in children under three years of age in Perú: analysis of the Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, ENDES, 2007-2013

Introducción. A pesar de la disminución de la pobreza en Perú, la prevalencia de la anemia infantil en el país continúa siendo alta. Objetivo. Determinar los factores sociodemográficos y las características del cuidado materno-infantil asociadas con la anemia en niños de seis a 35 meses de edad en Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio observacional que incluyó los datos sobre hemoglobina sanguínea registrados en la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES), 2007-2013, en niños entre los seis y los 35 meses de edad. Mediante un análisis multivariado de regresión logística, se identificaron los factores asociados con la anemia, definida como una hemoglobina corregida por altitud, menor de 11 mg/dl. Resultados. La prevalencia de anemia fue alta (47,9 %). Se identificaron doce factores asociados con la anemia: factores sociodemográficos como vivir fuera de Lima y Callao; en un hogar con bajo nivel socioeconómico; tener una madre adolescente y con bajo nivel educativo; ser de sexo masculino con edad menor de 24 meses y antecedentes de fiebre reciente, y factores relacionados con el cuidado materno-infantil como la falta de control prenatal en el primer trimestre, la falta de suplemento de hierro durante el embarazo o administrado durante un periodo breve, parto en el domicilio, diagnóstico de anemia en la madre en el momento de la encuesta y ausencia de tratamiento antiparasitario preventivo en el niño. Conclusiones. La ENDES proporcionó información valiosa sobre los factores asociados con la anemia en niños de seis a 35 meses, cuyo conocimiento debe mejorar la cobertura y la efectividad de prácticas adecuadas de cuidado materno-infantil.

Introduction: Despite the reduction of poverty in Perú, the prevalence of anemia in the country remains high. Objective: To identify socio-demographic, child and maternal-child care factors associated with anemia in children between 6 and 35 months in Perú. Materials and methods: We conducted an analytical and descriptive study that included registered data from the national survey on demography and family health, 2007-2013, on children between 6 and 35 months old, including the measurement of blood hemoglobin. Anemia was confirmed by hemoglobin-altitude corrected values below 11 mg/dl. We used multivariate logistic regression models to assess potential associated factors for anemia. Results: Anemia prevalence was high (47.9%). Twelve factors were independently associated with anemia in children: Socio-demographic factors such as living outside Lima and Callao, in a low socioeconomic household, and having an adolescent mother with low education level; child-related factors as being male, younger than 24 months of age, and having fever in the previous two weeks, and maternal-child care factors such as lack of prenatal control in the first trimester of pregnancy, lack or short period of iron supplementation during pregnancy, house delivery, anemia detection at the moment of the survey, and lack of intestinal anti-parasite preventive treatment in the child. Conclusions: The analysis of survey data provided valuable information about factors associated with anemia in children between 6 and 35 months, which can be used to increase the coverage and effectiveness of maternal-child care practices.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Smartphone Application for 5th, 6th Grade Elementary Students to Prevent Childhood Obesity; a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the acceptability and feasibility of the “HAPPY ME”, a smartphone application (app) for guiding healthy eating habits and physical activities to prevent childhood obesity, through in-depth interviews of 5th and 6th grade students of an elementary school. METHODS: A total of 25 students were recruited from grades 5 and 6 of an elementary school in Gimpo. They were asked to participate in in-depth interviews about expectations regarding the “HAPPY ME”, smartphone usage behaviors, perceptions and attitudes towards health, and satisfaction with the “HAPPY ME”, before and after the 4-week trial of the “HAPPY ME”. RESULTS: Study participants reported a high level of satisfaction regarding gamification elements such as awarding points as rewards for completing missions and using closed social networking services with friends. They also reported that their eating habits had improved after the 4-week trial. However, some students felt that the app was complicated to use and recommended that it should have prompts as notifications. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the “HAPPY ME” is acceptable and feasible for use with children. However, the app needs to be modified based on the results of this study.

Aspectos socioeconômicos e conhecimento de puérperas sobre o aleitamento materno / Mother's social economic aspects and level of knowledge about breastfeeding

Objetivo Averiguar a associação entre os fatores maternos e socioeconômicos com o conhecimento das mães a respeito do aleitamento materno. Métodos Estudo realizado com 71 puérperas em leito hospitalar. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários, um socioeconômico e outro sobre conhecimento referente ao aleitamento materno. Resultados Das entrevistadas, uma não frequentou as consultas pré-natais e 48 receberam alguma informação sobre aleitamento materno. Todas as mães sabiam que as crianças amamentadas no peito adquirem menos doenças; 44 sabiam que até o sexto mês de vida a criança não necessita de água ou outro complemento. Sobre as questões socioeconômicas e de conhecimentos, houve associação positiva significativa entre ambas, ou seja, puérperas com maior renda familiar tiveram maior percentual de acertos. Conclusão A maioria das mães demonstrou conhecimento sobre os aspectos investigados. A renda per capita interferiu no conhecimento das puérperas sobre o aleitamento materno. .

Purpose To investigate the association between maternal and social/economic aspects and mother's knowledge about breastfeeding. Methods A hospital-based study conducted with 71 postpartum women in hospital bed. Data was collected through questionnaires, one on social/economic factors and another one on knowledge about breastfeeding. Results Among the interviewed mothers, one did not attend the prenatal visits and 48 received some information about breastfeeding. All mothers knew that children who are breastfed are less exposed to diseases; 44 knew that until the sixth month of life, the child does not need water or any other supplement. About social/economic and knowledge aspects, there was a significant positive association between the two; i.e., postpartum mothers with higher family income tended to have a higher percentage of correct answers. Conclusion Evidence from this study demonstrated that mothers are well informed about breastfeeding. Some socioeconomic factors can interfere with appropriate breastfeeding, such as income per capita; the higher the family income, the better the knowledge about breastfeeding. .

Relationship between Height and Ulna Length in Girls Aged 4-17 Years from Uttarakhand, Northern India.

Background: Assessing nutritional status of children in the Northern Indian state of Uttarakhand is important because the prevalence of under-nutrition is higher than in most other parts of India Luthra et al., [1]. Assessment usually includes height measurement but this is not always possible, for example due to disabilities, so alternative methods of assessing height are required. Predicting height from ulna length has been studied in adults and children in different locations and evidence indicates the need for population specific equations due to anthropometric variations Madden et al., [2]. To date, no studies of ulna length in Uttarakhand have been published. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between height and ulna length in girls in this area to evaluate whether data could be used to derive an equation to predict height. Methods: Sixty-nine girls aged 4-17 years from an orphanage in Uttarakhand consented to participate. Height and ulna length were measured using standard procedures. The distribution of data was tested for normality. The relationship between the two variables was assessed using Spearman’s rank for the whole group and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for a subgroup aged ≥11 years (n=42) as data were only normally distributed in the latter. Linear regression was used to develop a prediction equation to estimate height from ulna length in the older girls. The mean difference between measured height and values predicted using the derived equation was examined using a paired sample T test. Ethical permission was obtained from the University of Hertfordshire. Results: A significant positive correlation was identified between ulna length and height in all participants (r=0.935, p=0.001) and in those ≥11 years (r=0.803, p=0.001). The following regression equation was developed to predict height in those aged ≥11 years: Height [cm] = 59.425 + (3.976 x ulna length [cm]). The mean difference between measured and predicted height was <0.1 cm (p=0.998). Discussion: The results demonstrate a close relationship between height and ulna length in this population which agrees with previous findings from studies of adults in India and in Asian children in the UK Gauld et al., [3]; Shah et al., [4] but differs from those of Asian women in the UK where a weak relationship was found Madden et al., [2]. The equation developed should be tested in another population in the same region to assess predictive validity and if it is a useful method for estimating height. The study limitations include its small sample size, uncertainty over the age of some girls and the potential for confounding due to earlier faltering growth in some participants. Conclusion: Ulna length is closely associated with height in girls from Uttarakhand which has allowed an equation to be derived to predict height in those aged ≥ 11 years.

Consumo alimentar entre crianças brasileiras com idade de 6 a 59 meses / Food consumption Brazilian children by 6 to 59 months of age

O objetivo foi avaliar o consumo alimentar em crianças brasileiras de 6-59 meses de idade, por região e zona de residência. Trata-se de estudo descritivo transversal com 4.322 crianças investigadas na Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde (2006/2007). Observou-se baixo consumo diário de verduras (12,7%), legumes (21,8%), carnes (24,6%) e elevado consumo de refrigerantes (40,5%), alimentos fritos (39,4%), salgadinhos (39,4%), doces (37,8%), na frequência de uma a três vezes na semana. Comparando-se as regiões, as crianças residentes no Sul, Sudeste e Centro-oeste consumiram com mais frequência arroz, pão, batata, feijão, verdura de folha, legumes e carne, mas também consumiram, mais frequentemente, alimentos não recomendados para a idade, como doces e refrigerantes. Crianças da zona rural apresentaram menor consumo dos alimentos recomendados para a idade e, também, dos não recomendados, quando comparadas às crianças da zona urbana. O consumo alimentar evidenciado neste estudo não está de acordo com recomendações de alimentação saudável para crianças.

The aim of this study was to assess food consumption in Brazilian children 6 to 59 months of age by region of the country and area of residence. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 4,322 children in the National Demographic and Health Survey (2006-2007). The data showed low daily consumption of leafy vegetables (12.7%), vegetables (21.8%), and meat (24.6%) and high consumption (1-3 times a week) of soft drinks (40.5%), fried foods (39.4%), salty snacks (39.4%), and sweets (37.8%). Comparing the regions of Brazil, children in the South, Southeast, and Central-West consumed more rice, bread, potatoes, beans, greens, vegetables, and meat, but they also ate more foods not recommended for their age, like sweets and soft drinks (soda). Rural children showed lower consumption of foods recommended for their age and also those not recommended for their age, as compared to their urban counterparts. According to this study, food consumption in these young children fails to meet the recommendations for healthy eating in this age bracket.

Prevalence of overweight preschool children in public day care centers: a cross-sectional study / Prevalência de sobrepeso em crianças pré-escolares em creches públicas: um estudo transversal

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Brazil is undergoing a period of epidemiological transition associated with demographic and nutritional changes. The prevalence of obesity is also increasing in children and is causing numerous health problems that are becoming public health issues. The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight among children of two and three years of age. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in municipal day care centers in Taubaté, state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Weight and height measurements were made on 447 preschool children forming a probabilistic randomized sample. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Their nutritional status was classified using the World Health Organization reference cutoff points (2006). Their mean weight, height and BMI were compared according to their age and sex. RESULTS: The mean values for the final sample (n = 447) were as follows: mean age: 38.6 months (± 3.5) and Z scores for: weight/height (W/H): 0.50 (± 1.22); height/age: -0.03 (± 1.07); weight/age (W/A): 0.51 (± 1.23); and BMI: 0.51(± 1.23). The prevalence of overweight children (BMI > 1 z) was 28.86%, while the prevalence of underweight children (BMI < -2 z) was 0.89%. There were no differences in mean BMI among the two and three-year age groups (P = 0.66). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of overweight was observed in the sample of two and three-year-old children, with practically no malnutrition, thus showing that a significant nutritional transition may already be occurring, even in medium-sized cities of developing countries.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O Brasil atravessa um período de transição epidemiológica com mudanças demográfica e nutricional. A prevalência de obesidade está aumentando também entre crianças, causando inúmeros problemas de saúde, que estão se tornando questões de saúde pública. Objetivou-se avaliar a prevalência de excesso de peso em crianças de dois e três anos. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em creches municipais de Taubaté, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Em amostra probabilística e randomizada de 447 pré-escolares, foram mensurados peso e altura, e calculado o índice de massa corporal (IMC). O estado nutricional foi classificado segundo pontos de corte do referencial da Organização Mundial de Saúde (2006). Compararam-se os valores médios de peso, estatura e IMC das crianças segundo a idade e sexo. RESULTADOS: A amostra final (n = 447) apresentou as seguintes médias. Idade: 38,6 meses (± 3,5), escore Z de peso para estatura (P/E): 0,50 (± 1,22), estatura para idade (E/I): -0,03 (± 1,07), peso para idade (P/I): 0,51 (± 1,23) e IMC: 0,51(± 1,23). A prevalência de excesso de peso (IMC > 1 z) foi de 28,86% e de crianças abaixo do peso ideal (IMC < -2 z) foi de 0,89%. Não houve diferença das médias de IMC entre as idades de dois e três anos (P = 0,66). CONCLUSÃO: Na população de crianças de dois e três anos de idade, já se evidencia elevada prevalência de excesso de peso, praticamente sem desnutrição, indicando que já pode estar ocorrendo uma transição nutricional importante inclusive em cidades médias de países em desenvolvimento.