Evaluation of Mouth Breathing Children Nutritional Status and Its Relation with Obesity

  • Denise Bertin Carnevalli
  • Vanessa Thaís Nozaki Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados - UNIGRAN
  • Ana Paula Serra de Araújo

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the nutritional status of mouth breathing children, verifying its relation with obesity. Study participants were 35 children with ages between 5 and 10, evaluated by a questionnaire composed of an anthropometric assessment (Waterlow classification, percentiles, Z score: weight/age, height/age and weight/height, arm circumference and WHR) and questions on oral breathing pattern, food preferences and others. The observed results demonstrated an index of over 50% of children in overweight, obesity or morbid obesity, besides the alteration of the feeding pattern, which causes them to eat fast, leading to excess in food intake. The children demonstrated an ingestion of almost 100% of carbohydrates and more than 60% of lipids above the recommended. The findings in this study confirm what is described in literature, demonstrating that the mouth breathing provokes disorders in chewing/mastication and feeding, leading those individuals to obesity.

Author Biographies

Denise Bertin Carnevalli
Nutricionista; Pós-graduada em Personal Diet no Centro Universitário de Maringá – CESUMAR; Especialista e Pós-graduada em Acupuntura pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Therapias e Ensino – IBRATE e Faculdade Estadual de Educação Física e Fisioterapia de Jacarezinho – PR – FAEFIJA-PR. E-mail: denisebcarnevalli@hotmail.com
Vanessa Thaís Nozaki, Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados - UNIGRAN
Nutricionista; Mestre em Ciências da Saúde; Docente do Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados - UNIGRAN. E-mail: vanessa.tais@bol.com.br
Ana Paula Serra de Araújo
Fisioterapeuta graduada na Universidade Paranaense - UNIPAR; Pós-graduada em Terapia Manual e Postural pelo Centro Universitário de Maringá – CESUMAR; Especialista e Pós-graduada em Acupuntura pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Therapias e Ensino – IBRATE e Faculdade Estadual de Educação Física e Fisioterapia de Jacarezinho – PR - FAEFIJA-PR. E-mail: anaps_araujo@hotmail.com
Published
2009-08-19
Section
Artigos Originais