1427 Persistence of Malnutrition in School Children in Urban-Rural Region of the South of S|[atilde]|O Paulo City

Objective: To examine in a sample of students from a region of low socioeconomic status, the persistence of nutritional deficit. Method: Cross-sectional study of 1761 schoolchildren between 6 and 10 years from three schools in Parelheiros. Were assessed by z scores of weight for age and height for age, according to World Health Organization The variables studied were: gender, age, grade and school year. We used the chi-square to relate the nutritional deficit with the variables. Results: Of 1761 children studied 8.5% were malnourished according to z score P / E, 21.6%, according to E / I. The analysis of z score P / E revealed that 58.4% were male and 66.7% female. The mean age was 8.9 years. The z score of E / I 53.4% were male and 56.5% female. The risk of malnutrition was higher among boys: 59.7% for the index P / E and 53.9% for E / I. There was no statistically significant difference between the schools, gender and school year. Among nutritional status, period (P < 0.0001) and students grade (p = 0.0105), we observed statistical significance. Conclusion: Malnutrition is still continuing between the low-income population and males had a higher percentage of malnutrition. From the analysis in the region, one can consider that the nutritional assessment of school - the anthropometric technique in particular - is an extremely important tool for understanding the dynamics of child nutrition and development.