Evaluación y correlación de variables bioquímicas, antropométricas y de consumo de riboflavina, hierro y vitamina A en escolares venezolanos.

The objective was to evaluate the status of riboflavin, iron and vitamin A in a group of school children from Caracas, correlating biochemical, body composition and consumption data. The sample included 69 scholars aged 6 to 8 years whose socio economic status, food consumption patterns and adequacy as well as dietetic formulae were determined. Anthropometric measures were recorded and a blood sample was taken to determine hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasmatic concentrations of riboflavin by an enzymatic method, retinol by HPLC, iron by a colorimetric method and ferritin by ELISA. The scholars had a monotonous diet and the 4 most consumed food items were cereals. The diet resulted inadequate in vitamin A (48%), iron (39%), riboflavin (6%) and vitamin B6 (80%). Anthropometric evaluation showed an important percentage of recent undernutrition (19%), although most of the individuals had a nutritional anthropometric state and a body composition within normal ranges. Hematological determinations showed deficiencies of riboflavin (16%), retinol (57%), iron (67%) and anemia (14%). In conclusion, the diet was monotonous, deficient in calories, vitamin B6, vitamin A, proteins and iron and excessive in riboflavin, with inadequate anthropometric and body composition status. Data on consumption and diet adequacy correlated with results from hematological tests, while anthropometric data was not markedly affected, although there was a linear correlation between muscular and fat areas with energy, protein, fat, iron and riboflavin consumption [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]