Hábitos de alimentación, actividad física y horas de sueño en escolares: un estudio diagnóstico en Educación Primaria

Abstract

El estudio que se presenta tiene una finalidad diagnóstica en relación a los hábitos de vida y alimentación de un grupo de escolares. Se persigue conocer los patrones alimentarios (desayuno y merienda escolar), actividad física y horas de sueño en dos aulas de tercero de Educación Primaria de un centro andaluz. El estudio utiliza una metodología de corte cuantitativo, a partir de un cuestionario administrado a 46 alumnos-as obteniéndose 410 respuestas a lo largo de dos semanas. Los resultados revelan que la práctica totalidad del alumnado ingiere algún alimento antes de acudir al centro escolar, si bien la composición nutricional del mismo es insuficiente. Aproximadamente siete de cada diez alumnos-as expresan la necesidad de ingerir alimento en el momento de responder al cuestionario, una hora antes del recreo. Analizando los ingredientes que componen la merienda escolar destacan los zumos y batidos envasados, bocadillos de embutidos y galletas. El análisis de la dimensión de actividad física revela un escenario en el que la muestra se divide equitativamente en función de sus hábitos, predominando no obstante actividades de corte sedentario. Mientras cinco de cada diez alumnos-as no realiza actividad física por las tardes, la mayoría dedica un tiempo considerable a ver la televisión. Finalmente, el análisis de las horas de sueño evidencia que el seis de cada diez alumnos-as duermen una media de 9,2 h., situándose así en el rango mínimo recomendado para esta edad. Una vez finalizado el diagnóstico se realizan propuestas de intervención en el marco del enfoque comunitario. The present study has a diagnostic purpose in relation to the eating habits and lifestyle of a group of schoolchildren, once symptoms of potential imbalances have been detected by the teaching staff. Eating patterns (breakfast and school afternoon snack), physical activity and rest levels are studied in two third-year Primary Education classrooms in an Andalusian school. The study uses a quantitative methodology, based on a questionnaire administered to 46 students, obtaining 410 responses over two weeks. The results reveal that almost all students eat some food before going to school, although its nutritional composition is limited. Approximately seven out of ten students reported they were hungry while answering the questionnaire, one hour before the school break. As for the ingredients that make up the school snack, they include packaged juices and smoothies, cold cut sandwiches and cookies, with a marginal presence of fruit. The analysis of the physical activity dimension reveals that sedentary activities predominate slightly. While five out of ten students do not do physical activity in the afternoons, the majority spend considerable time watching television. Finally, the analysis of sleep hours shows that six out of ten students sleep an average of 9.2 hours, just within the minimum recommended range. Finally, intervention proposals are made within the framework of the community-led approach.

Psychopathological Risk Factors Associated with Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction and Weight-Loss Dieting in School-Age Adolescents

“…Following the indications of international organisations (UNICEF), on the basis of the legal rights that protect children and adolescents, it is essential to establish adequate eating patterns from childhood in order to prevent disease [58]. The lack of such preventative actions generates inadequate habits (at stages even previous to adolescence), with primary school children consuming food with insufficient nutritional content [59]. Besides, the assessment and intervention at a global scale must be contemplated since the variables associated with self-perception and the practice of weight-loss diets is not independent from the patterns of physical activity and the resulting BMI [60].…”