Abstract

CHINNOCK, Anne  and  LEON SOLIS, Miriam. Reported Morbidity Related to Nutrition in Costa Rican. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.2, pp.134-143. ISSN 1409-1429.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of health problems related to nutrition through self-reports in families of different communities in Costa Rica between 1994 and 2012. Methods: Data collected by nutrition students of the Nutrition School, University of Costa Rica between 1994 and 2012 was analyzed. Families were selected by simple random sampling and interviews were conducted on housewives or other adult family members asking about the presence of 12 different health problems related to nutrition. In cases of an affirmative reply, type of diagnosis and treatment was also asked. The frequency of reported presence of each problem was calculated for each community in total and for each age group. Results: In all the communities studied since 2006, more than 90% of the families report the presence in at least one member of one or more of the health problems. Since 1997, in 17 of the 22 community surveys, more than 50% of the family members are reported as having one or more of the health problems. The following problems were reported in more than 10% of the survey population: gastritis, dental caries, overweight or obesity and arterial hypertension. Conclusion: Ahigh prevalence of health problems related to nutrition was reported among the families in surveyed in the communities.

Keywords : Morbidity Surveys; Nutrition Surveys.

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