OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dietary intake, the socioeconomic environment, the frequency of iron deficiency anemia, and the preschoolers' nutritional status. METHODS: The evaluated population consisted of 89 children aged 24 to 72 months, who were assisted at the public nursery schools in Viçosa, MG, Brazil. Evaluation was performed for hemoglobin level, body weight, stature, parasites' presence and dietary intake of the children, as well as for their families' biological and socioeconomic profiles. RESULTS: The group's nutritional status was considered satisfactory, and anemia prevalence was relatively low (11.2%). This profile may be justified by the adequate conditions of sanitation, reasonable level of parents' schooling, low numbers of children per family, and absence of parasites involved in the anemia genesis. No association was observed between iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition, neither parasitosis. CONCLUSION: Although some bio-socioeconomic factors showed favorable nutritional state and low anemia prevalence, it was observed, however, that the families' insufficient income per capita and their deficient diet will probably lead this group of children to a worse health status.
anemia; iron-deficiency; dietary intake; child nutrition disorders; nutritional status; socioeconomic; child; preschool
