Identification of sugar intake in the diet of Mexican preschool children

Abstract

Introduction: Increased consumption of energy dense food and the lack of physical activity have led to an increase in child obesity. Mexico ranks one of the highest rates in Latin America.

Objective: Identify the main foods that parents offer to preschool children in Mexico. Frequency to the week and the quantity of added sugar to diet.

Method: Descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study. A poll National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) was applied, considering, sex, age, parent's school grade, place of origin, foods offered to children, including milk and milk product, fruits and vegetables and processed food. Descriptive statistics summarized in frequencies and percentages were performed. The association of variables (sugar intake vs cavities) was done using Chi² considering p≤0.05 as statistically significant.

Results: n= 98 surveys. 83.7% of the parents who responded were women. 37.8% was between the ages of 36 and 40. The average age of the children was 4.4±0.76 years. Fruit and vegetable consumption was reported 5-6 times a week, banana was the fruit more frequent consumption and the carrot of the vegetable. The fast food, cereal and candies were consumed 2-4 times a week. Conclusion: This survey indicated an increase in the consumption of fresh water with sugar and industrialized juices.

Keywords: Obesity, preschool, sugars, dental caries, México.