Abstract

CADAVID C, Martha; ZAPATA Z, Maryories; AGUIRRE A, Daniel  and  ALVAREZ U, Martha. INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST AND NORTHWEST AREAS OF MEDELLIN BASED ON THE LEVEL OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS. Rev. chil. nutr. [online]. 2011, vol.38, n.4, pp. 392-403. ISSN 0717-7518.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75182011000400001.

Objective: To analyze the association between school-aged children intelligence quotient and their household food security levels and socioeconomic conditions. Methodology: Cross-sectional analysis with a randomly selected group of 423 school-aged children enrolled in 41 public schools located in the northeast and northwest areas of Medellin, Colombia. The intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV). Household food security was assessed using the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale. Results: There were significant differences (p<0,001) between children IQ in household with good food security (mean: 93.6 ± 12.7) and severe household food insecurity (mean: 87.5 ± 15.4). The lower IQ scores were explained partly by diminished household food insecurity and socioeconomic conditions. Conclusions: To live under unfavorable environmental conditions predicts children cognitive problems and these effects are bigger if the families experiencing food insecurity or hunger.

Keywords : Intelligence quotient; household food insecurity; children; poverty; Medellin- Colombia.