Prevalência de excesso de peso e avaliação do consumo alimentar de pré-escolares atendidos pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar

Abstract

Introduction:In 2020, according to data from the United Nations, 39 million children worldwide aged under five years were overweight or obese. Excess weight in children is a complex and multifactorial condition, resulting from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. For the treatment and prevention of obesity in childhood, an effective intervention must involve the main relationships and contexts in which the individual is inserted, such as the family and school environment. In Brazil, the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) offers school meals and nutrition education actions to students of all ages that are studying in public schools; thus, the program is an important tool for the prevention of childhood obesity in the country. Aims: The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of excess weight and analyze the food consumption of preschool-age students enrolled in municipal schools registered in the National School Feeding Program in the city of Sertãozinho-SP. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study. To clarify the study to those responsible for the children, meetings were held in the school units themselves, with the presence of those responsible and the researcher. After authorization from those responsible for signing the Free and Informed Consent Form (TCLE), the preschoolers underwent measurement of weight, height, Triceps Skinfold (TCF), Arm Circumference (AC) and abdominal circumference. To collect food consumption data, a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used. Results: A total of 153 students were included in the sample, of which 81 (52.94%) were boys and 72 (47.06%) were girls. In all, 109 (71.24%) children were aged between 4 and 5 years old. The average family income found was R$3960.88 and the average per capita monthly income was R$1130.00. According to the BMI classification for age, 1 (0.65%) child was classified with severe thinness, 10 (6.54%) students were classified with thinness, 89 (58.17%) were eutrophic, 12 (7.84%) with risk of overweight, 22 (14.38%) with overweight, 12 (7.84%) with obesity and 7 (4.58%) with severe obesity. A significant association was verified between the variables BMI for age and TCF (p<0.0010), with the same association observed for abdominal circumference measures (p<0.001). Regarding to food consumption, it was verified that for greens and vegetables, the frequency of consumption equal to or less than 1 to 3 times a month was the most cited by most parents. Among sugar, sweets and snacks, more than 50% of participants reported consumption of chocolate powder (63%) and sugar (53%) at a frequency greater than or equal to 2 to 4 times a week. Conclusion: A high prevalence of early overweight was found among the participants, approximately 35%. Severe thinness and thinness were observed in 7% of the children. The values found in the measurement of TCF and abdominal circumference are directly associated with BMI values for age. Also, a low frequency of consumption of vegetables and...