Desarrollo puberal y estado nutricional en adolescentes de la Unidad Educativa San Pedro Pascual, Ibarra 2023

BMI is a recommended indicator to assess nutritional status in adolescents; however, puberty should be considered during adolescence. The objective of the study was to determine the pubertal development and nutritional status of adolescents from the San Pedro Pascual Educational Unit, Ibarra. This research, which was descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional in nature, focused on a population of 256 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, with a sample size of 71. Exclusion criteria: students whose parents did not sign the informed consent. The study encompassed a range of variables, including nutritional status (BMI/age and height/age), sociodemographic characteristics, and pubertal development. A variety of instruments, such as surveys, Tanner booklets, and anthropometry forms, were used to gather comprehensive data. The use of the anthropometric software WHO Anthro Plus, along with data analysis in Microsoft Excel 360 and EPIINFO 7.2.5, ensured the thoroughness and accuracy of our methodology. The results indicate that the mean of the anthropometric indicators indicate normality, adequate height (99%), and 63% have a eutrophic state; however, women have higher percentages of overweight and risk of overweight; men are located in pubertal stages 1, 2 and 3; while women are in stages 3 and 4, mostly. Conclusions: There are no similarities in BMI by stage or age in any sex; however, in women in the more mature stages 3 and 4, more similar BMI values ​​prevail because the BMI in women increases as sexual maturation increases, regardless of chronological age; although, in men with a higher Tanner stage, the BMI averages decrease.