Introduction:

the study of the nutritional status in adolescents is a necessity, as the modes of action and dietary habits that will accompany them throughout their lives are consolidated at this stage.

Objective:

to characterize the nutritional status and anthropometric variables in adolescents at the "Luis Augusto Turcios Lima" University Polyclinic.

Methods:

an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in adolescents aged 10 to 19 from medical office 19 of the "Luis Augusto Turcios Lima" University Polyclinic, in the period between January and December 2019. The sample consisted of 180 Patients: Age, sex, body mass index, weight, height, triceps, subscapular and abdominal fold, waist and hip circumference variables were studied, using descriptive statistics.

Results:

a predominance of patients between 13 and 16 years old (32,78 %) was found, as well as the female sex (56,11 %) and normal weight (72,79 %). The means of the anthropometric measurements were higher in the female sex, however, no significant relationships were found between these and sex. With regard to body circumferences, only the hip circumference was greater in men (Mean: 77,24; SD: ± 18,52) than in women (Mean: 74,32; SD: ± 23,49). No association was reported between sex and these variables.

Conclusions:

the predominance of females was common in adolescents, as well as the tendency to normal weight, without significant differences between both sexes in terms of anthropometric measurements.

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