Medidas antropométricas e condições de vida de escolares da rede estadual de ensino: um retrato do Curimataú e Seridó paraibano.

Abstract

The students represent an important group for analysis of living conditions of a population by sensitivity to their health status presents the reality in which they are inserted. In this sense, the objective of this study was to characterize the anthropometric measurements and the living conditions of children from 5 to 10 years of age enrolled in state schools of the 4TH Regional Management of Teaching of Paraiba. This research consists of a scientific study of descriptive, quantitative approach to the data, which were collected both with the children, but also with their parents. With children, the data were related to their anthropometric measurements of weight and height. Using these measures was calculated BMI and these were then analyzed using the WHO Growth Charts. From this, we evaluated the nutritional status according to weight / age, height / age and BMI / age indexes. The data related to living conditions were obtained by the application of a questionnaire with the responsible and the analysis of data was performed using the SPSS statistical program. Of the 762 participating children, the sample consisted of a total of 257. According to weight / age, height / age and BMI / age, the students showed prevalence of normal weight in the three parameters with 62.3%, 75.7% and 62.6%, respectively. As for the income of families, 87.5% reported having less than a minimum wage total income, those characterized as individuals with poor economic conditions. But it is important to note that for these there is significant coverage of government programs, such as the Bolsa Família Program (83.7%). As for living conditions, the item had the best education evaluation, having obtained the highest percentage of "good" option with 87.2%. The analysis of the relationship between the nutritional status of schoolchildren with the frequency that they ate outside the home, showed that among overweight participants, 47.8% never ate outside the home and 39.1% said they rarely had this practice. Based on the results it was possible to concluded that although the nutritional status of the highest percentage of 11 participants find suitable for their age it is also important to have a look on those who are at nutritional risk and especially in cases of deviations from the eutrophic, or with malnutrition and overweight. In relation to living conditions was noticed that the majority keeps a simple life, with little education and few financial resources. Finally, it is suggested that further research using other assessment tools and a methodology for longitudinal monitoring of health status must be made.