ESTADO NUTRICIONAL, CONOCIMIENTOS Y CONDUCTAS EN ESCOLARES DE KINDER Y PRIMER AÑO BÁSICO EN 3 ESCUELAS FOCALIZADAS POR OBESIDAD INFANTIL EN LA COMUNA DE VALPARAÍSO, CHILE

In 2008, under the National Plan for Health Promotion and Community Plan for the Promotion of Health, actions to address school obesity by intervening with the Global Strategy Against Obesity schools with the highest obesity prevalence focusing on kindergarten levels (school children between 5-6years) and first grade (students between 6-7 years). The actions of the Community Plan for the Promotion of Health in selected schools of Valparaiso were evaluated. The objectives of this intervention were: 1) assess the nutritional status of children from the participating levels, 2) gather background information on knowledge and behaviors related to food, nutrition and lifestyle in school and 3) identify strengths and difficulties facing the implementation of health policies at local level. We performed a descriptive, non-experimental, non-random convenience sample, which included 267 schools. Results: It was detected 18.8% obesity in the transition level (kindergarten and 27% in the first grade evaluated according to Technical Standards of the Ministry of Health of Chile based on 2006 WHO reference tables. In order to assess knowledge and behavior, we developed and applied the tools "Caritas" and "Healthier Snacks" observing 77% and 87% and 90% and 64% of correct associations for knowledge and behaviors, respectively. Facilitators: cooperative work and valuation from education. Barriers: outdated actions altering school curriculum planning. Figures of malnutrition by excess and the difficulty to reverse this reality require programs to in identify nutritional knowledge and eating behaviors of the population. En el 2008, en el marco del Plan Nacional de Promoción de la Salud y del Plan Comunal de Promoción de la Salud se priorizan acciones para abordar la obesidad escolar interviniendo con la Estrategia Global contra la Obesidad las escuelas con los más altos índices de obesidad a nivel comunal, focalizando en escolares de kinder (escolares entre 5-6 años de edad) y primer año básico (escolares entre 6-7 años de edad). En Valparaíso, se evaluaron las acciones del Plan Comunal de Promoción de la Salud en 3 de las 4 Escuelas seleccionadas. Los objetivos de esta intervención fueron; 1) evaluar el estado nutricional de los niños/niñas de los niveles participantes; 2) recopilar antecedentes sobre conocimientos y conductas asociadas a la alimentación y nutrición y estilos de vida en los escolares de kinder y primer año básico y 3) identificar dificultades y fortalezas q