Situación nutricional de niños, niñas y adolescentes de dos fundaciones de Ciudad Bolívar, Colombia, en 2022

Introduction: Malnutrition is a public health problem that affects the quality of life and health of children and adolescents; therefore, healthcare professionals should seek strategies to mitigate its consequences. Objective: To describe the nutritional status of children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years in two selected foundations located in the Ciudad Bolívar locality. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a population of 62 children and adolescents between 5 and 17 years of age who attended the two foundations in 2022. Results: They were grouped by age into categories 5 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years, and 13 to 17 years; nutritional classification was based on the growth charts established by Resolution 2465 of 2016. Conclusion: Malnutrition is present among the children and adolescents in this population and requires follow-up, as well as interdisciplinary and interinstitutional interventions. It is evident that interventions produce positive changes. It is necessary to implement programs focused on preventing and promoting healthy nutrition and to conduct further studies to identify the relationship between changes and existing variables.