Nutritional Status, Food and Sedentary Patterns in School-Age Children. Urban and Rural Areas of Oropeza Province in Chuquisaca - Bolivia, 2011

Background: Overweight and obesity trends have been increasing worldwide. Currently it is a big public health problem. There is little information on nutritional status, physical activity and dietary patterns in school age children in Bolivia, especially in Oropeza province. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Environmental Questionnaire (EQ) in 2584 children attending (36 schools) the fifth grade of elementary schools in Oropeza province (91% response ). Height and weight of each child was measured, later on, body mass index was calculated according to World Health Organization standards. The prevalence of nutritional status, physical activity and dietary patterns among children in urban and rural schools were compared. Results: The overall prevalence of underweight was 0.6%, normal weight 65%, overweight 27% and obese 7%. Higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban areas (39% vs 22%) was found. Children in urban areas reported less physical activity in comparison with rural areas, although no differences for the use of television, video games or fast food consumption were found. Conclusions: Our study found high prevalence of overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle and consumption of fast foods especially in urban areas. National public policies focused at early age are needed to promote changes in dietary patterns and physical activity in order to prevent long-term morbidity.