# Frequency of nutritional disorders and their risk factors among children attending 13 nurseries in São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study: Frequência de distúrbios nutricionais e de seus fatores de risco entre crianças de 13 creches de São Paulo, Brasil. Um estudo transversal

## TL;DR

This study finds that children in São Paulo nurseries face nutritional disorders linked to factors like low income, incomplete vaccinations, and being male.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for nutritional disorders in Brazilian nursery children, including socioeconomic and health-related variables.

## Key findings

- Children from lower-income families and those with neonatal risks are more likely to be malnourished.
- Male children and those with incomplete vaccinations are at higher risk for nutritional disorders.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for less than two months increases the risk of overnourishment.

## Abstract

Nutritional disorders are associated with health problems earlier in life. The objective here was to estimate the frequency of nutritional disorders and their risk factors among children.

Cross-sectional study in nurseries at 13 day-care centers in São Paulo, Brazil.

The mothers of 482 children were interviewed, with anthropometry on these children. Children whose anthropometric indices for weight and height were greater than two standard deviations were considered to have nutritional disorders.

Children in families with lower per capita income (odds ratio [OR]: 2.25; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.08-4.67) and who presented neonatal risk (OR 8.08; 95% CI: 2.29-28.74), had incomplete vaccinations (OR 3.44; 95% CI: 1.15-10.31) or were male (OR 3.73; 95% CI: 1.63-8.56) were more likely to be malnourished. Children in families with lower per capita income were also less likely to be overnourished (OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.88). Children who were exclusively breastfed for less than two months (OR 2.95; 95% CI: 1.35-6.44) or who were male (OR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.02-4.65) were also at greater risk of being overnourished. Children who presented neonatal risk (OR 3.41; 95% CI: 1.04-11.23), had incomplete vaccinations (OR 3.18; 95% CI: 1.30-7.76), or were male (OR 2.76; 95% CI: 1.56-4.90) were more likely to have a nutritional disorder.

Nutritional disorders remain present in children attending nurseries in São Paulo. Actions should focus on boys, children who were exclusively breastfed for less than two months and those without up-to-date vaccinations.