Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Status in Children Aged 8 to 10 Years: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood excess weight is a major public health issue associated with poor dietary patterns, particularly the frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods. In this context, the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) dietary intake markers serve as useful tools for monitoring childhood eating habits. Objective: To describe the nutritional status of children aged 8 to 10 years according to different dietary patterns, whether they are healthy or unhealthy. Methods: An observational study conducted in 2026 with 93 schoolchildren (aged 8–10) enrolled in a public school in Francisco Beltrão, Paraná. Anthropometric data were collected to classify nutritional status using body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) in the AnthroPlus® software. Diet was assessed using SISVAN dietary intake markers, with the construction of healthy eating scores (0–3 points) and unhealthy eating scores (0–4 points). Descriptive analyses, between-group comparison tests, and binary logistic regression were performed at the 5% significance level. Results: The prevalence of excess weight was 49.5% (n=46). Girls showed higher consumption of fresh fruit (75.6%; n=31) and vegetables (65.9%; n=27), whereas boys consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages (80.8%; n=42) and processed meats (48.1%; n=25; p<0.05). Schoolchildren with excess weight had more daily meals and a higher unhealthy eating score (p<0.05). In the adjusted analysis, the unhealthy eating score remained associated with excess weight (OR=1.35; 95% CI=1.02–1.69; p=0.032). Conclusion: A high prevalence of excess weight was observed among schoolchildren. Higher consumption of unhealthy dietary markers was associated with excess weight, underscoring the importance of food and nutrition education initiatives to reduce ultra-processed food intake during childhood.