PD643 - NUTRITIONAL PROFILE AND DIETARY BEHAVIORS OF CHILDREN IN SOCIALLY VULNERABLE CONTEXTS IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

PD643

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE AND DIETARY BEHAVIORS OF CHILDREN IN SOCIALLY VULNERABLE CONTEXTS IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

C. A. Narita¹, G. G. Simidamore¹, B. A. Prilip¹, A. M. P. Lottenberg ^1,2, E. D. S. Brito¹, R. M. Machado^1,*, M. S. F. Lavrador¹

¹Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, ²Laboratório de Lípides (LIM-10) Hospital das Clínicas (HCFMUSP) da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Rationale: Children living in socially vulnerable settings are at increased risk of poor nutritional status and unhealthy dietary patterns, which may negatively affect long-term health outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 children enrolled in a community-based program in São Paulo, Brazil. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data (weight, height, and waist circumference) were collected. Nutritional status was assessed using BMI-for-age according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. A waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) >0.5 was used as an indicator of increased cardiometabolic risk. Dietary intake was assessed using the Previous Day Food Questionnaire (PDFQ-3), a validated tool for evaluating food intake in school-aged children.

Results: Boys accounted for 58% of the sample, 55% of participants self-identified as Brown, and 86.7% were aged 10–12 years. The prevalence of excess weight was 41.3%, including 22% classified as obese, while 28.7% presented increased cardiometabolic risk. Fruit consumption was reported by 80% of participants and vegetables by 55.3%. Traditional components of the Brazilian diet were widely consumed, including beans (84.7%) and cereals or tubers (98.7%). Meat, poultry, or fish were consumed by 88.7%, and milk or dairy products by 59.3%. Notably, a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (74.7%) and sweets (64.7%) was observed. No significant associations were found between dietary variables and excess weight.

Conclusion: The prevalence of excess weight in this socially vulnerable population exceeds national estimates. Despite the frequent consumption of traditional foods, the high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets highlights the need for targeted nutritional interventions.These findings reinforce the coexistence of traditional and obesogenic dietary patterns in vulnerable settings.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared