Nutritional status and blood pressure assessment in vulnerable children from two schools in Cutral Co and Plaza Huincul. A quantitative and qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction. Knowing the nutritional status of children is critical to plan primary health care interventions in the setting of the present obesity epidemic and the great increase in the prevalence of childhood metabolic syndrome. For this reason, nutritional status and blood pressure were assessed among children from two schools of high social vulnerability, results were qualitatively analyzed, and community members feedback was obtained in order to be fully aware of the situation and accordingly plan local health interventions. Population and methods. Cross-sectional study conducted at purposively selected schools, with results analyzed using focus groups. The following standards were used: the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards for weight and height; the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for body mass index (BMI); the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for blood pressure; and Fernández J., et al. standards for waist circumference. Results. Three hundred and sixty one children were evaluated; of them, 20.8% were overweight, 22.2% were obese and 6.5% were hypertensive. Obesity was more prevalent in boys (p: 0.039), and no relationship was observed between hypertension and central obesity with age and sex. The social factors that influence this situation were described by community representatives. Conclusions. It was established that this population was malnourished and had a high prevalence of obesity. Results were analyzed by community members who focused on the items to be considered for the intervention.