Relación entre los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de alimentación y la percepción del estado nutricional de los adolescentes en colegios de los cantones de Cuenca y Paute, durante los años 2021-2022

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a stage of changes at the dietary level, consequently, energy and nutritional needs increase. Body image acceptance also plays a fundamental role; therefore, nutritional status will be affected. Objective: To establish the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and eating practices and the perception of nutritional status of adolescents in 4 schools in the cantons of Cuenca and Paute, during the years 2021-2022. Methodology: This is a descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional study. The population was 600 students from 4 educational institutions between the cantons of Paute and Cuenca. The instruments were a CAP survey and a body image perception pictogram. Results: Regarding the perception of nutritional status, half of the sample perceived themselves as normal weight, followed by 43% between overweight and obesity. The perception of underweight is observed in a lower percentage. Regarding the KAPs, more than half of the sample reported having favorable knowledge and attitudes and adequate feeding practices. The statistical tests applied and the analysis of results, show that the KAPs of adolescents in Paute and Cuenca are not related to the perception of nutritional status. Conclusions: It is concluded that there is no relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices and the perception of nutritional status of adolescents from 4 schools in Paute and Cuenca cantons.