Educational Program to Prevent Malnutrition in Early Childhood at a Health Center in Tulcán

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practices related to healthy eating in households with children aged 1 to 5 who attend the Julio Andrade Health Center. The research aimed to identify factors associated with child malnutrition and develop an educational program focused on preventing this issue. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a quantitative analysis of surveys administered to parents and a qualitative approach through interviews and direct observation, within a descriptive field design. The results showed that a significant portion of the children exhibited signs of malnutrition, particularly those who did not receive adequate nutritional guidance or who did not regularly attend the CDI, where meals are balanced and supervised by healthcare professionals. Additionally, it was observed that the lack of access to healthcare services and the limited nutritional education within families significantly contribute to this problem. The study's conclusions emphasize the importance of implementing educational programs on nutritional health, aimed at both parents and caregivers, in order to improve eating habits and prevent malnutrition. Furthermore, it is recommended to strengthen healthcare services in rural areas to ensure that children receive the necessary care for their optimal development. This work provides relevant evidence on the nutritional status of preschool-aged children and highlights the urgent need for interventions to address these deficiencies