Nutritional assessment in children

Abstract

Childhood obesity and disorders associated with poor nutrition are a growing concern in Mexico, affecting both urban and rural areas. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of schoolchildren and the main metabolic risk factors in sixth-grade students at the Francisco Sarabia primary school, located in the rural community of San Francisco Ayotuxco, State of Mexico. The research is quantitative and descriptive, using a cross-sectional observational study with an educational focus. Food surveys were administered, and anthropometric and clinical measurements were taken from 28 students between the ages of 11 and 12. The results revealed a high prevalence of ultra-processed food consumption, low knowledge of healthy eating, and several cases of overweight and obesity, with high Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference values. These findings reflect the urgency of implementing school-based nutrition education and health monitoring strategies in rural communities.