title: Nutritional status of children from Cochabamba, Bolivia: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the adequacy of energy and nutritional intakes compared to recommended daily intakes (RDIs) in schoolchildren from the Cochabamba region (Bolivia) and to determine micronutrient intake distributions across different ages and genders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This nutritional study (n = 315) was part of a larger population-based crosssectional study (the "Bolkid" survey) that collected data on schoolchildren 5-16 years old in 2010 in the Cochabamba region. Information about food intake was gathered with a semiquan-titative, food-frequency, parent-administered questionnaire about l2 months before the study. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of energy and nutrient intakes were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all ages studied and both genders, the average energy and micronutrient intakes were acceptable but below the requirements. The diet included high amounts of fiber, some minerals (iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium), and vitamins (pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamins B2, B12, C, and E), but was low in calcium and vitamin D. However, more than half the children had insufficient energy intake, and low calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D intakes, according to RDIs adjusted for age and gender; one-third of the children had insufficient folate and magnesium intakes; and adolescent girls had low iron intakes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regardless of recommendations or demographic characteristics, the vast majority of children in Cochabamba consumed insufficient energy and too little calcium, folate, magnesium, and vitamin A and D. In addition, adolescent girls consumed insufficient iron. Higher energy intake for schoolchildren through increased food availability, frequency, and size portions in daily meals should be a priority for Bolivian public health institutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, cmasuet@bellvitgehospital.cat.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masuet-Aumatell
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, cmasuet@bellvitgehospital.cat.
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ramon-Torrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, cmasuet@bellvitgehospital.cat.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banqué-Navarro
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Epidemiology Research Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
authors.forename: María Del Rosario
authors.initials: Mdel R
authors.lastname: Dávalos-Gamboa
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Epidemiology Research Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Sandra Lucía
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Montaño-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001838:Bolivia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014815:Vitamins
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins