Evaluation of the Program of the Feeding and Language Stimulation Centers in 3 Chilean regions

To evaluate the effect of attendance to a non traditional day care center ("CADEL") on physical and psychomotor development, 366 children aged 2-5 years belonging to 22 centers were studied. Weight and height were measured at 0, 4 and 8 months and weight for age, height for age and weight...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista Chilena de pediatría 1989-07, Vol.60 (4), p.227-231
Main Authors: Atalah, E, Rebolledo, A, Mateluna, A, Vidal, W, Díaz, M C, Greiber, R
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
Child Day Care Centers
Child, Preschool
Chile
Humans
Language Development
National Health Programs
Nutritional Status
Program Evaluation
Psychomotor Performance
Sampling Studies
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:To evaluate the effect of attendance to a non traditional day care center ("CADEL") on physical and psychomotor development, 366 children aged 2-5 years belonging to 22 centers were studied. Weight and height were measured at 0, 4 and 8 months and weight for age, height for age and weight for height indexes were calculated from WHO/NCHS standards. Psychomotor development at the beginning of the study and 8 months latter through a standard test (TEPSI) was evaluated. Mean weight and height monthly increments were 144 +/- 83 g and 0.54 +/- 0.16 cm, 72 and 90% respectively of normal growth. Protein energy malnutrition prevalence (30.8%) was not modified but subnormal values of psychomotor development (40.9%) decreased during the study (p less than 0.05 global, coordination and motor function). Language retardation did not improve with the attendance to the program. These centers represent low cost alternatives to extended coverage of preschool services for low income families. More active family integration and reinforcement of stimulation and educational activities may improve program effectiveness.
ISSN:0370-4106