Analysis of food consumption among schoolchildren in the Capital and other cities of the interior of the Province of Córdoba, throughout period of 2016-2017

Abstract

School-age eating habits are decisive in future health. Its approach, taking into account contextual differences, can provide tools for the improvement and advancement of health.

The aim of this study was to compare the food consumption according to sex, type of school management and place of residence among schoolchildren of 9-12 years who attend primary schools in the cities of Córdoba Capital, Villa María and Deán Funes in the province of Córdoba, throughout the 2016- 2017 period.

Descriptive cross-sectional study of a sample of 480 5th and 6th grade students from state and private schools obtained through cluster sampling. A validated eating questionnaire was used to know the consumption of food and beverages from the previous day; this was carried out three times and the consumption was averaged. Food variables were considered in gm or cc/day: dairy products, eggs, all meats/processed meats, vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals and derivatives, fatty breads, sugar and sweets, sweetened beverages, infusions, snacks and fats. These continuous variables were categorized into low, medium or high consumption according to the tertiles of their distribution. Consumption was compared according to sex, school management and location by T test (α = 0.05), using Stata V13 software.

Food consumption in Córdoba Capital was higher in the groups of cereals and derivatives and sweetened beverages (p <0.05), compared to Villa María, Deán Funes differed from Córdoba by presenting a lower consumption of milk-yogurt (p <0.0001) but higher cereals and derivatives, fatty breads and infusions (p <0.05). The women had a higher consumption of sugar and sweets (p = 0.0013). In private schools, there was a higher average consumption of legumes (p = 0.0466) and fat (p = 0.0429) while in state schools there was consumption of eggs (p = 0.0003), cereals and derivatives (p = 0.0002), fatty breads (p = 0.0244), sugar and sweets (p = 0.0040) and infusions (p = 0.0001).

The results reveal the need to encourage and promote healthy eating habits from an early age considering the differences observed in each context of the Province of Córdoba.