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Objectives: to evaluate the nutritional status of children under five years of age in the community of Las Huacas, Olá.
Materials and Methods: a descripitive, cross-sectional study was performed during the Rotaract Club medical tour to the community of Las Huacas, Olá The anthropometric indicators and hematocrit were measured in children under the age of five. Out of 91 children, 51 were included through convenience sampling. The minimum sample size was calculated with EpiInfo v3.3.2 (n=18).
Results: 51 % of the children were male and the average age was 27,8 months. According to anthropometric indicators, 19,6 % presented moderate to severe undernourishment for weight/age index, 39.2 % moderate to severe undernourishment for height/age index, and 4 % moderate to severe undernourishment for weight/height index. In children six to 59 months-old, 66 % presented diminished tricipital skinfold and 22,7 % reduction of the brachial perimeter. Nutritional anemia was present in 39,2 %.
Conclusions: according to the anthropometric and biochemical evaluation of children under five years of age in the community of Las Huacas, the nutritional situation is poor, since half of the children suffers some degree of undernourishment with all of its associated consequences.
