Predictors of nutritional risks of children attending public child day care centers in Brazilian medium port municipality

Abstract Objectives To identify variables predictors of nutritional status (stunting, overweight) in children attending public child day care centers of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional study that examined the association of children, maternal and socioeconomic features with stunting and overweight in children attending public child day care centers. Anthropometric data were obtained in compliance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Results Of the 793 children studied, 6.4% were diagnosed with stunting and 31.8% overweight. We found higher prevalence of stunting, in relation to the respective reference categories, in children with low birth weight, when mothers diagnosed with short stature, and leaving in households without garbage collection and those whose homes lived more individuals. Households using untreated drinking water and without sewage network were presented as predictors of overweight. Conclusions The nutritional status of children attending day care centers characterizes by maintaining the stunting that coexists with higher prevalence of overweight, diagrammed by socioeconomic status and antecedents as low birth weight and low maternal stature.