Infant obesity in the past and nowadays: the importance of anthropometric assessment by nurses

Abstract

Studies have shown relation between the incidence of chronic diseases in adults and obesity in infancy. This research aimed to determine and compare the indexes of overweight and infant obesity in the years 1983/1984 and 2003/2004. Secondary data related to child growth and development were collected through consults in patient files, of users who had been under follow-up at the Pediatrics Service in the Unit located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The percentile was adopted for classification of the nutritional status. Absolute and percentage frequencies were considered for descriptive analysis. Data analysis was done using t test for comparisons of means. It was observed greater risk of overweight and significant difference in the weight of children born in 2003/2004 compared to users born in 1983/1984. Anthropometric assessment carried out by nurses has a fundamental importance in child nutritional diagnosis, to accurately identify abnormalities and define efficient action strategies.

Obesity; Anthropometry; Nursing