Abstract

MUNDO-ROSAS, Verónica; RODRIGUEZ-RAMIREZ, Sonia  and  SHAMAH-LEVY, Teresa. Energy and nutrient intake in Mexican children 1 to 4 years old: results from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2009, vol.51, suppl.4, pp. S530-S539. ISSN 0036-3634.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342009001000008.

OBJECTIVE: To document the energy and nutrient intake of Mexican preschool children using data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT 2006). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dietary data from 3 552 children less than 5 years old collected through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were analyzed. Energy and nutrient daily intakes and adequacies were calculated. Comparisons were made by geographic region, residence locality, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The Mexico City region showed the highest energy (103.2%), carbohydrate (109.9%), and fat (110.1%) adequacies. The highest proportion of preschoolers with energy and micronutrients inadequacy (adequacy < 100%) was observed in children of indigenous ethnicity, low socioeconomic status, living in rural localities, and in the south region. CONCLUSIONS: This information may help as an indicator of food availability and access in different population strata and as a tool to focus interventions on those who may better benefit from food assistance programs.

Keywords : diet; nutrients; children; Mexico.