Food intake and nutritional status of preschool from maroon communities of the state Alagoas, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of children from Alagoas maroon communities. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 724 children (12-60 months) from 39 Alagoas maroon communities. The nutritional status was investigated by anthropometric, biochemical (hemoglobin) and food consumption indicators. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, stunting and obesity were, respectively, 48.0, 9.7 and 6.0%. The children had a monotonous eating pattern and a considerable prevalence of inadequate intake of zinc (17.0%), folate (18.1%), iron (20.2%) and vitamins A (29.7%) and C (34.3%). Compared to the other socioeconomic classes, the E class children had lower average consumption (p<0.05) for energy, carbohydrate, vitamins A and C, folate, iron, zinc and phosphorus. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is a serious Public Health problem. The prevalence of chronic malnutrition and obesity were similar to those observed for the children in the State as a whole, where a nutritional transition process is occuring. There was a high prevalence of inadequate food intake risk for zinc, folate, iron and vitamins A and C, suggesting the need for nutritional education actions.

Food intake and nutritional status of preschool from maroon communities of the state Alagoas, Brazil / Consumo alimentar y estado nutricional de pre-escolares de las comunidades remanecientes de los quilombos de la provincia de Alagoas / Consumo alimentar e estado nutricional de pre-escolares das comunidades remanescentes dos quilombos do estado de Alagoas

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of children from Alagoas maroon communities. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 724 children (12-60 months) from 39 Alagoas maroon communities. The nutritional status was investigated by anthropometric, biochemical (hemoglobin) and food consumption indicators. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, stunting and obesity were, respectively, 48.0, 9.7 and 6.0%. The children had a monotonous eating pattern and a considerable prevalence of inadequate intake of zinc (17.0%), folate (18.1%), iron (20.2%) and vitamins A (29.7%) and C (34.3%). Compared to the other socioeconomic classes, the E class children had lower average consumption (p<0.05) for energy, carbohydrate, vitamins A and C, folate, iron, zinc and phosphorus. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is a serious Public Health problem. The prevalence of chronic malnutrition and obesity were similar to those observed for the children in the State as a whole, where a nutritional transition process is occuring. There was a high prevalence of inadequate food intake risk for zinc, folate, iron and vitamins A and C, suggesting the need for nutritional education actions. .

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el consumo alimentar y el estado nutricional de los niños de las comunidades quilombolas de Alagoas. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal implicando a 724 niños (12 a 60 meses) de las 39 comunidades quilombolas de Alagoas. La condición nutricional fue investigada mediante indicadores antropométricos, bioquímico (hemoglobina) y de consumo alimentar. RESULTADOS: Las prevalencias de anemia, de déficit estatural y de obesidad fueron, respectivamente, 48,0, 9,7 y 6,0%. Los niños tenían un estándar alimentar monótono y una considerable prevalencia de inadecuación en la ingestión de zinc (17%), folato (18,1%), hierro (20,2%) y vitaminas A (29,7%) y C (34,3%). Respecto a las otras clases, los niños de clase E presentaron menores promedios de consumo (p<0,05) para energía, carbohidrato, vitaminas A y C, folato, hierro, zinc y fósforo. CONCLUSIONES: La anemia es un grave problema de Salud Pública, situación compatible con el cuadro de inadecuaciones alimentarias observado. Las prevalencias de desnutrición crónica y obesidad se asemejan a las observadas para los niños de la provincia como un todo, en el que se viene observando proceso de transición nutricional. Hubo alta prevalencia de riesgo de inadecuación alimentar para zinc, folato, hierro y vitaminas A y C, siendo necesarias acciones de educación nutricional. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o consumo alimentar e o estado nutricional das crianças das comunidades quilombolas de Alagoas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo 724 crianças (12 a 60 meses) das 39 comunidades quilombolas de Alagoas. A condição nutricional foi investigada por meio de indicadores antropométricos, bioquímico (hemoglobina) e de consumo alimentar. RESULTADOS: As prevalências de anemia, de déficit estatural e de obesidade foram, respectivamente, 48,0, 9,7 e 6,0%. As crianças tinham um padrão alimentar monótono e uma considerável prevalência de inadequação na ingestão de zinco (17,0%), folato (18,1%), ferro (20,2%) e vitaminas A (29,7%) e C (34,3%). Quanto às demais classes, as crianças da classe E apresentaram menores médias de consumo (p<0,05) para energia, carboidrato, vitaminas A e C, folato, ferro, zinco e fósforo. CONCLUSÕES: A anemia é um grave problema de Saúde Pública. As prevalências de desnutrição crônica e de obesidade se assemelharam às observadas para as crianças do estado como um todo, no qual ocorre o processo de transição nutricional. Houve alta prevalência de risco de inadequação alimentar para zinco, folato, ferro e vitaminas A e C, sendo necessárias ações de educação nutricional. .