Estado nutricional en adolescentes de 12-16 años de edad en la Unidad Educativa Adolfo Valarezo y su relación con actividad física y hábitos alimenticios,durante el período 2019 -2020

Abstract

Abstract: Adolescence is a stage where a healthy diet and physical exercise are important factors, to promote optimal development and prevent health problems, the study of nutritional status allows long-term prevention of the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood Objective: To determine the nutritional status of adolescents from 12 to 16 years old and its relationship with eating habits and physical exercise, in the Educational Unit "Adolfo Valarezo" in the city of Loja in the period 2019-2020. Methodology: A descriptive, quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out, 229 students of both sexes were assessed, applying a health questionnaire and determining the body mass index. Results: Adolescents who had healthy eating habits, 24.9% were overweight and 9.2% obese, and adolescents who had unhealthy habits showed 2.2% overweight and 3.1% obesity. Conclusion: Adolescents presented a mostly normal nutritional state, the predominance of overweight was in early adolescence, obesity and emaciated in middle adolescence, and the female sex presented a higher prevalence of overweight, obesity and emaciated.