RESUMENEsta revisión bibliográfica está enfocada en la búsqueda de información relacionada con intervenciones educativas para la promoción de hábitos saludables en preescolares en Latinoamérica. Debido a los cambios en los patrones alimentarios que han surgido en Latinoamérica por diversos factores como la migración, la globalización, el desarrollo de la tecnología, la urbanización y la situación socioeconómica, las dietas tradicionales de esta región han experimentado una transición nutricional importante donde actualmente predominan los alimentos procesados altos en azúcar y grasa saturada. A esto se ha sumado la disminución de actividad física generando un incremento de la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en los diferentes grupos etarios, incluyendo a los preescolares. En efecto, la obesidad se ha convertido en una pandemia no solo a nivel latinoamericano sino también mundial. Como consecuencia, el aumento de la prevalencia de las Enfermedades Crónicas no Trasmisibles (ECNT) es un problema de salud que demanda una atención especial y urgente dentro del Sistema de Salud. Por lo tanto, las intervenciones educativas en alimentación saludable y actividad física son importantes y necesarias en los diferentes grupos etarios, especialmente en preescolares, puesto que los conocimientos y hábitos adquiridos a esta edad probablemente perdurarán también hasta la edad adulta. Palabras clave: Intervención, nutricional, actividad física, preescolares, Latinoamérica. ABSTRACTThe material presented in this paper consists of a literature review about educative interventions promoting healthy habits in preschoolers in Latin-America. Due to changes in food patterns as a consequence of various factors such as migration, globalization, technology development, urbanization and socioeconomic status, underwent the traditional diets of this region drastic nutritional changes with an increased number of processed foods high in sugar and saturated fat. This transition coupled with a low prevalence of physical activity led to an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the different age groups including preschoolers. In fact, obesity has become a pandemic phenomenon not only in Latin American but worldwide. As a consequence, the increase in the prevalence of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is a health problem that requires special and urgent attention within the Health System. Therefore, educational interventions for healthy eating and physical activity are important and necessary for different age groups, especially for preschoolers since that knowledge and habits acquired at this age will probably remain during adulthood.

Ecuador is a country in nutritional transition. National data show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity more than triples from the preschool to school-aged years, while stunting remains prevalent. A cross-sectional study in the municipal preschools in Cuenca was conducted to better understand the contributing factors to this nutritional transition. Of the 97 children in the sample population, 5.3% were overweight or obese and 8.5% were stunted. Despite no underweight children, 19.0% of the parents or caregivers considered their child to be underweight. Most households had some degree of food insecurity (71.4%). Parents reported that most children drank water daily at home (70.5%), but according to the teachers, less than half drank water at school daily (41.5%). Parents and teachers, respectively, reported that 89.5% and 34.7% of the children consumed vegetables daily and 70.5% and 57.9% consumed fruit daily at home or school. About three-quarters of the parents and teachers reported that children dedicated ≥1 hour daily to physical activity, at home and school. Half of the parents reported that their child spent at least 2 hours per day watching the television, using an electronic tablet or computer. Stool examination showed that 26.1% of children were positive for Helicobacter pylori antigen and 19.3% for intestinal parasites. This study provided insight into potential areas to focus health education and promotion among this population, for example, in diet and physical activity habits. However, other important factors including poverty related risk factors, such as household food insecurity, and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal parasitosis, should be considered simultaneously in such efforts.

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