Nutritional Status in a Group of Adolescents from Pueblo Yaqui, in Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: to identify the nutritional status of adolescents, users of the imss from Pueblo Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico. Methods: cross-sectional and descriptive study in the Family Medicine Unit (fmu) number 35 of Pueblo Yaqui Sonora, Mexico. Adolescents, of both sexes were weighed and measured according to the nom-008-ssa2-1993. The informed consent was delivered by themselves. The variables were age, sex and nutritional state, according to the (bmi) body mass index and weight/size index, used by the Integrated Preventive Program. Results: 258 adolescents, 55% female and 45% male, with an average age of 15 ± 2.9 years. bmi average of 22.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2; nutritional status was 43.1% overweight or obesity and 20.9% malnutrition. The weight/height index was 60.9% normal, 34.5% high and 4.7% low. Conclusions: There should be made an annual evaluation of the nutritional status of the adolescents; if there were alterations they should be sent to the nutrition and social work services, in order to help them to improve eating habits.