Efecto de un programa de educación nutricional en el consumo de energía y macronutrientes de preescolares asistentes a jardines infantiles Junji de la zona oriente de Santiago, Chile

SUMMARY. Effect of educational nutrition program on the energy and macronutrients intake of preschoolers attending Junji day care centres in the eastern sector of Santiago, Chile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the change on the energy and macronutrients intake in obese and eutrophic preschoolers, attending National Board of Day Care Centres (JUNJI), in the eastern area of Santiago, as product of an educational intervention in intake, nutrition and physical activity, sustained in the theory of the social cognitive learning and the model of community organization. The sample comprised of thirty five obese children, plus eighty five eutrophic children (4-5 years olds). Energy intake was evaluated, measuring full two days a week plus one weekend day. At the day care centre, all ingested food was weighed, and when back at home, child food-intake was recalled. During the stay at the day care centres, the intervention produced a reduction in: energy, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in obese girls (p<0.05), energy and carbohydrate in obese boys (p<0.01), lipids and carbohydrates, in eutrophic girls and boys (p<0.05). When at home, intake reduced in: energy and lipids in the obese girls and eutrophic boys (p<0.05), lipids in eutrophic girls (p<0.05). During the weekend, obese boys, reduced the intake of calories (p<0.05) and lipids (p<0.05). In obese girls the reduction was in calories (p<0.05) and carbohydrates (p<0.05). In eutrophic girls and boys, lipid intake was reduced as well as, protein intake was increased (p<0.01). In conclusion, this intervention demonstrated to be effective in early modulation of preschool children dietary intake, one of the important risk factors for obesity and chronic diseases.