ABSTRACT To quantitatively evaluate the intake of key macronutrients and sodium in the diet of children aged 7–10 years and their relationship with nutritional status and school schedule, this cross‐sectional study analyzed dietary data from guardian questionnaires using the Yazio, Food Converter, and Web Diet platforms. Nutrient intake was compared against guidelines, and statistical analyses included Chi‑squared, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests ( p < 0.05). Data were collected from private schools in Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil, between January and August 2023. The sample comprised 60 children (27 girls, 33 boys; mean age 8.6 years), with 70% enrolled part‑time. Overall, 58.3% were eutrophic, while 41.7% had an altered nutritional status. Paradoxically, despite a high prevalence of overweight/obesity (26.7%), carbohydrate and fat intake were below recommendations for all children, suggesting poor diet quality. In contrast, 55% met water intake guidelines, while 48.3% exceeded sodium limits. Significant differences in intake were found across nutritional status categories ( p < 0.001). Full‑time schooling was associated with higher carbohydrate intake ( p = 0.018) and a trend toward higher sodium consumption ( p = 0.073), but not with nutritional status ( p = 0.298). The study reveals a double burden of poor diet quality, with full‑time schooling linked to higher intake of critical nutrients. This underscores the need for policies that regulate the school food environment, particularly in full‑time settings, and promote food education.
Olcerenko et al. (Wed,) studied this question.