Perfil Nutricional De Pré-Escolares E Escolares Residentes Em Palmeiras Do Javari, Am

Abstract

The nutritional profile of 26 pre-school children from the age of 2 to 5 years old, and 56 other school children aged from 6 to 14 years old, residents in Palmeira do Javari-Am, were evaluated. The characterization of the nutritional state of the population studied included, anthropometric measurements, food enquiry, using the 24 hours recall method in conjunction with the weight of foods, and determination of hemoglobin and parasitological exams. The results of these evaluations showed that of the 26 pre-school children studied, 11.5% had first degree malnutrition. This compared with the other students, of which 41% and 9% presented, respectively, 1st and 2st degree malnutrition according to the classification of GOMEZ. In relation to the food offered by the school, the data suggests almost 100% sufficiency in the ingestion of animal protein and vitamin C for the pre-school children and a deficiency of 49% and 69%, respectively, for vitamin A and iron. The other students, however, showed a deficiency in the calorie intake of 65%,vitamin A 76%, Bl 65%, niacine 60% and iron 25%, according to the daily recommended intakes (NAS-NRC 1980). It was noted that more than 50% of the children studied were anemic and it was deduced that anemia comes with nutritional deficiency in association with the rate of intestinal parasites.