Abstract

MIRANDA C, Marianella et al. Tendencias en el consumo de energía y nutrientes de niños peruanos menores de 5 años en el periodo 1997-2001. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2004, vol.21, n.4, pp.240-252. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To characterize energy and nutrient consumption in less than 5 year old children in Peru between 1997 and 2001. Materials and Methods: A direct food-weighing survey was administered to 1644 children selected in a two-staged probabilistic sampling in the following geographical domains: Lima, rest of the coast, urban areas in the highlands, rural areas in the highlands, jungle, and Andean Trapezium (Ayacucho, Apurimac, Huancavelica, Cusco, and Puno departments); covering the whole Peruvian surface area. Median values for energy, macronutrient, animal protein, vitamin A, and iron consumption. The percentage of infant population with a less-than 90%, 75%, and 50% of nutritional requirement and recommendations was calculated, as well as consumption gap for the same cut-off values. Median and percentage values were compared year-by-year, using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. Results: Throughout the country a significant increase in energy, carbohydrates, and vitamin A consumption was observed; in spite of this, children assessed showed low consumption and coverage of energy, fat, and iron requirements and recommendations. Total protein consumption exceeded 100% of daily recommendations in all places studied, and low animal protein consumption was found in the rural areas in the highlands, as well as in the Andean Trapezium. Conclusions: In spite of the increases in food consumption observed during the study period, children showed high prevalence of low energy and nutrient consumption, particularly iron and fat, and mostly affected regions were rurral areas in the highlands and Andean Trapezium.

Keywords : Nutritional Requirements; Energy Intake; Proteins; Fats; Carbohydrates; Iron; Vitamin A; Children; Peru.

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