[Analysis of the nutritional status of the population from Santiago]

The aim of this work was to analyze the nutrimental situation of people living in Santiago, reviewing the recent published information on this topic. There was profuse information about deficiency nutrimental problems among maternal and infantile groups, but fairly less in other age groups and about surplus disease. Considering food purchasing capacity, an important percentage of the population is located below the line of poverty. Child mortality has a low and decreasing rate and the general mortality structure shows a decline of infections causes. There is a low prevalence and degree of undernutrition among preschool children and a low proportion of low birth weight newborns. Instead, low stature affects a high proportion of school age children and its prevalence increases in puberal ages. Obesity predominates among adults and its risk factors are female sex, low stature and a low socio-economical level. Iron deficiency anemia is the most important specific deficiency. Outstanding features are the degree of communal development, a relatively better situation of Santiago compared with the national average and the lack of information and specific policies towards overfeeding related problems.