Childhood obesity and dietary habits of schoolchildren using school canteens

Section: Revisiones

How to quote

Alix Lería S, Cortés Campos M. Obesidad infantil y hábitos alimentarios de los alumnos usuarios de los comedores escolares. Metas Enferm abr 2017; 20(3): 61-66.

Authors

Sonia Alix Lería1, Marta Cortés Campos2

Position

1Enfermera. Residencia de personas mayores “El Palo”. Consejería para la Igualdad y Bienestar Social. Málaga 2Enfermera. Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla. Servicio Cántabro de Salud. Santander

Contact address

Sonia Alix Lería. Pza. Lex Flavia Malacitana, 2-5º A. 29013 Málaga.

Contact email: soniaalix74@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to describe and analyze the dietary habits of children using the school canteens, and their association with the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Methodology: a narrative review of literature. The databases and other web resources used were: PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, Dialnet and the Anales de Pediatría journal. There was a selection of articles published from January, 2001 to April, 2016, written in Spanish and English, about dietary habits in school canteens and their association with childhood obesity.
Results: five documents were selected. The documentary review generated the following categories for analysis: prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren, composition of school menus, dietary habits of schoolchildren using the school canteens.
Conclusions: in Spain, there are limited studies by the government analyzing the dietary habits of the childhood population in the school setting. The school canteen represents an excellent opportunity to expand the types of food introduced, and thus set up a varied diet. The uncertainty of the home diet must be taken into account, as well as its interrelation with the offer by the school canteen. The prevalence figures for childhood obesity and excess weight indicate that it is necessary to improve the diet of schoolchildren, as well as the dietary education they receive.

Keywords:

Paediatric obesity; varied diet; dietary habits; school canteen

Versión en Español

Título:

Obesidad infantil y hábitos alimentarios de los alumnos usuarios de los comedores escolares