Estado nutricional de escolares según sexo y edad: Región Metropolitana, Chile, 1986-1987 / Nutritional status of students second sex and aged. Metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile, 1986-1987

ABSTRACT

A representative sample of 4509 schoolers form elementary and high schools int the Metropolitan area of Santiago was randomly chosen and their nutritional status analyzed by anthropometric measurements. Percentages of weight for age (W/A), height for ge (H/A) and weight for height (W/H) were evaluated according to WHO tables. Undernutrition (low W/A) diagnosed in 31% of male and 28% of females and overweight in 18% and 22%,respectively. Undernutrition increased while obesity decreased with ag. To a large extent, differences found in nutritional statusm could be explained by mild growth failure which existed in 27% of males and 28% of females. Therefore, W/H better expresses the nutritional status of these schoolers. The high prevalence of obesity and overweight is a serious health problem demanding preventive measures in order to avoid complications in later life