Malnutrición en niños en edad escolar a nivel de América Latina

Abstract

Balanced nutrition includes the adequate intake of several micronutrients and macronutrients, so the deficit of these causes the presence of malnutrition, which is a state in which the body lacks nutrients, preventing the proper development of the child, and that leads to a series of complications at the physical, psychological, and social levels. Methodology: A bibliographic review that included several scientific articles from 2017 to 2021 was conducted, registering 1294 documents — exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied— thus eliminating 109 articles, of which 47 were excluded; finally, using 52 articles and 10 documents from official pages of the health area. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition in school children in Latin America is high, being one of the most prevalent pathologies in individuals between 5 and 17 years of age with low economic resources living in urban areas. It has also been observed that most school children suffering from this pathology present growth retardation, low weight and height, and poor school performance, among others. Conclusions: Malnutrition includes undernourishment, overweight, and obesity. It occurs because the organism does not receive the adequate nutrients that the child needs to develop properly. Thus, when this type of pathology is not treated in time, they lead to a series of complications both at the physical, psychological, and social level of the child; however, there are nutritional therapies that help recover the child's state of health.