OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the nutritional status and neurodevelopment of children enrolled in a day care center. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 113 children aged six to 70 months, assisted in a nonprofit day care center in Catanduva, São Paulo. All children were submitted to evaluation of the nutritional status by anthropometry and classified according to Waterlow criteria. Child development was assessed according to Denver II Test. Further characteristics were obtained by a questionnaire answered by 70% of the children's parents. RESULTS: Among the evaluated children, 12% had acute malnutrition, 1% past malnutrition and 16% obesity. The Denver II Test detected 37% of children with suspect of development delay (the language was the ability area more frequently affected). Children aged 25 to 60 months had more delays. Data from the questionnaire showed that 87% of children received breastfeeding (57% until around the sixth month of age), 96% of the mothers worked outside home, 54% of them had high school and 73% of the families received less than two minimum wages. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of nutritional problems and possible developmental delays observed in this study indicates the need of adopting balanced diets and improving education towards healthier alimentary habits. Attention should be given in order to act on the negative influence of the poor socioeconomic and educational background on children's growth and development.
child; child day care centers; nutritional status; child development
