Abstract des Autors

There is a large disparity in socioeconomic levels in countries within the American hemisphere. In most developing countries, nutritional problems are associated with inadequate intake of energy, protein and micronutrients rather than the excesses found in diets from affluent, industrialized countries. These national differences are also reflected in the levels of nutrition and physical activity of children living in these countries. Unfortunately, surveys of habitual physical activity of Latin American children and youth are not available. Nevertheless, two entirely different nutritional scenarios must often be addressed by governments within the same country. Although it is an oversimplification of the complex relationship between nutrition and physical activity in children, it would appear that: 1. children with adequate levels of nutrition need to maintain nutritional intakes while either maintaining or increasing physical activity; 2. children with excessiv intake of calories (higher socioeconomic classes) need to reduce caloric intake while increasing physical activity to minimize the risk of developing the chronic lifestyle diseases found in people of the more industrialized nations; and 3. children with inadequate intake of calories, protein and micronutrients (lower socioeconomic classes) need to improve nutrition and maintain physical activity. In some cases, children who were undernourished will be able to increase physical activity if these are also able to increase their dietary intake of nutrients. Verf.-Referat