The objective of the present study was to assess nutritional risks of 5-12 year-old low family income students enrolled in public schools in the city of Camboriú - SC. We evaluated 819 students (579 children and 240 adolescents). The nutritional risks found were related to anthropometrical classification, and it was observed that 78% of the sample was eutrophic, 13% undernourished, and 9% overweight. Food intake analysis showed high consumption of proteins (48%) and low consumption of carbohydrates (96%), vegetables (80%), fats (68%), cereals (68%) and fruits (48%). Socio-economic data showed that class D was predominant (43%), followed by classes C (30%), E (22%) and B (5%). Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed in 46% of the students. The present study suggests that more efficient intervention strategies can be developed through identification, diagnosis, and analysis of nutritional factors, highlighting nutritional matters such as an essential health promotion component.
Child; Adolescent; Nutritional assesment
