Nutritional assessment and consumption of ultra processed foods y children under 24 months of age

Abstract

Introduction: Child nutrition is a crucial aspect for the healthy development of children, directly influencing their physical health, growth and general well-being. Assessing the nutritional status and eating patterns of preschool children is essential to identify possible nutritional deficiencies and provide appropriate guidelines to ensure adequate growth and development. Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the nutritional status and food consumption of ultra-processed children at 24 months. Methods: A survey was carried out in March 2023 in daycare centers located in Orleans (Santa Catarina). The exhibition was made up of children aged between 4 and 24 months, enrolled in two municipal daycare centers, two private daycare centers and a philanthropic daycare center. It provides nutritional status and is used as a crescent curve for the Ministry of Health. Regarding food consumption, information was collected through questionnaires administered to those responsible. Results: An analysis of anthropometric data demonstrated that a significant proportion of children presented the appropriate BMI, height and weight for their respective ages, according to the conditional growth curves by the Ministry of Health. However, cases of nutritional deviations were also identified, such as underweight and overweight. Regarding food consumption, there is a relatively high frequency of consumption of ultra-processed foods. Conclusion: The study reveals the presence of ultra-processed foods in the diet of children in daycare centers, highlighting the importance of awareness and public policies to ensure healthy eating in this age group.