Study of the food habits of 4-to 6-year-old children in Reynosa, Tamaulipas (Mexico)

Abstract

A study of the food intake habits of 4- to 6-year-old children in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico was carried out to determine the risk of nutritional problems related to being overweight and obesity. The diet of 999 children was studied. The energy intake in males (1457.10 +/- 22.30 kcal) was statistically higher than the female intake (1345.69 +/- 20.58 kcal). Similar behavior was observed for the majority of the macronutrients. The percentage of overweight children (13.9\%) coincided with the percentage of the population who consumed greater than 150\% of the calorie recommendation for adults (13.1\%), with an excessive intake of carbohydrates (51.6\%), proteins (87\%), and cholesterol (45\%). Nevertheless, the consumption was smaller than 50\% of the daily-recommended intake (DRI) for vitamins in 49.1\% of the children, calcium in 32.3\%, iron in 23\%, and zinc in the 17.1\% of the population. The results suggest a food intake imbalance due to the excess of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol) in combination with a deficit in micronutrient intake.