Association between phase angle and height-to-age index classifications of children under five years of age.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The phase angle (PA) has been used as an indicator of prognosis and nutritional status because it reflects the integrity of the individuals' cellular function. In contrast to the investigations that assessed acute malnutrition (weight deficit) and PA in children, studies that evaluated the relationship of this indicator with stunting (height deficit) are still scarce and inconclusive. Thus, we aim to investigate whether there are differences in PA according to the classifications of the height-for-age (H/A) index of children under five years of age. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a nutritional recovery center, in households, and in a daycare center in Maceió-Alagoas, Brazil. Anthropometric data were collected, and resistance and reactance were obtained through the use of tetrapolar electrical bioimpedance, from children aged 2-5 years. The PA and the percentage of body fat were calculated. Children were divided into 3 groups: adequate H/A, at-risk of stunting and stunted. Analysis of covariance for the main outcome was performed using age, sex, and the body mass index-to-age as covariates, and the H/A classification as the exposure. RESULTS: The mean children's PA in the adequate H/A group was 3.9° [95% CI 3.6-4.2], while in the group at-risk of stunting and stunted it was 4.5° [95% CI 4.3-4.7] and 4.6° [95% CI 4.4-4.8], respectively, showing statistical difference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In the present sample, stunted children have higher PA values than children with adequate H/A.

Estudo antropométrico de pré-escolares da calha do Rio Amazonas, Brasil. I - Nhamundá

The nutritional state of 152 urban and 30 rural pre-school children was evaluated on antropometric criteria, using the 1946 Gomez and 1986 WHO classifications, in a transverse study in Nhamundá municipal district, Amazonas State, Brazil, during 1998. In the Gomez classification 52,75% of the children in the urban area presented some degree of malnutrition, with the light form (DI) predominating, but with a prevalence of 9,2% the moderate form (DII). In the rural of area the situation was more precarious, both in terms of total prevalence (66,6%) and severity of manifestation, with (3,3%) of the sample classified as DIII. According to the WHO criteria 26,9% this sample presente substandard scores of height for age (indicative of chronic malnutrition), less evident in the first year of life (4,8%). Acute malnutrition indicated by low weight for height was diagnosed in 3,3% of these children.

Foi realizado no município de Nhamundá (1998) estudo transversal, onde avaliou-se o estado nutricional de 152 pré-escolares da área urbana e 30 da área rural, por meio de avaliação antropométrica, adotando-se a classificação de Gomez (1946) e os critérios propostos pela OMS (1986). Constatou-se pela classificação de Gomez que 52,6% das crianças da área urbana apresentavam algum grau de desnutrição, predominando a forma leve (DI), 9,2% na forma moderada (DII). Na área rural o quadro se manifesta mais precário, tanto em ocorrência da desnutrição (66,6%), quanto na sua manifestação de gravidade (DIII) 3,3%. Segundo os critérios da OMS, 26,9% das crianças do município apresentavam inadequação no indicador "altura/idade" (desnutrição crônica), constatando-se menor comprometimento das crianças no primeiro ano de vida (4,8%). A inadequação no indicador "peso/altura" (desnutrição aguda), foi diagnosticada em 3,3% dos pré-escolares.

Estudo antropométrico da população infantil da calha do Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brasil. III - parque nacional do Jaú

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Jaú National Park (1999), involving 49 pre-school children and 130 school children, in order to evaluate their nutritional status according to antropometric indicators. According to the criteria of the WHO (1986), 23,9% of pre-school children and 9,4% school children presented a height to ratio indicative of chronic undernourishment. Weight for heigth ratios indicative of acute undernutrition were detected in 2,2% of the pre-school and 1,6% school children. These results are an indication of the precarious state of health and nutrition of the study population.

Foi realizado no Parque Nacional do Jaú (1999) estudo transversal, onde avaliou-se o estado nutricional de 49 pré-escolares e 130 escolares, adotando-se os critérios propostos pela OMS (1986). Segundo estes critérios, 23,9% dos pré-escolares e 9,4% dos escolares apresentavam inadequação no indicador "altura/idade" (desnutrição crônica). A inadequação no indicador "peso/altura" (desnutrição aguda) foi constatada em apenas 2,2% dos pré-escolares e 1,6% dos escolares. Estes resultados evidenciam as precárias condições de saúde e nutrição da referida população.