Abstract

The present study evaluated the nutritional status of the child population during a summer experience with girls, boys and young people in Juárez Chihuahua, Mexico. The objective was to identify the prevalence of overweight, obesity, normal weight and malnutrition in the child population. A sample of 217 members of the summer camp in its XIV edition of the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ), children and young people from 5 to 16 years of age, was taken, determining the weight and height by students of the degree in nutrition. The nutritional status of the infant was defined using the value of the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a criterion, with values corresponding to percentiles less than 5 (low weight), 5th percentile up to below 94 (normal weight), 85th percentile up to below 95 (overweight) and equal to or greater than the 95th percentile (obesity). Ages and sex were specified, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) growth charts. The results showed that 52% of the participants evaluated had a normal weight, 30% were obese, 14.3% were overweight and 3.6% were underweight. This frequency is higher in girls than in boys and increases when associated with a history of parental obesity. In conclusion, childhood obesity is a public health problem in Mexico, which requires priority attention and preventive measures in order to avoid the consequences in the medium and long term on the health of children and young people and on the country's economy. Promoting healthy lifestyles from childhood is essential to prevent obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases.

Keywords: Healthy Lifestyles; Benefits; Camp; Sports; Teens