Prevalence, description of tonsillar hypertrophy and correlation with junk food consumption

Authors

Keywords:

hipertrofia de amígdalas, comida chatarra, amígdalas palatinas.

Abstract

Introduction: Tonsillar hypertrophy is the increase in the volume of the tonsils that is accompanied by symptoms of airway obstruction, with a tendency to appear in children who eat unhealthy meals. 

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of tonsillar hypertrophy and its correlation with the consumption of junk food in schoolchildren.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive type, correlation study was carried out in 2017, in schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 years in public schools of the Secretary of Education in Honduras. A total of 7,020 schoolchildren were surveyed. The variables were age, sex, symptoms and signs of tonsil hypertrophy, associated diseases, frequency, daily and weekly portions and the place of junk food consumption. The data processing was performed with Epi Info 7 version 7.2.2.6 program (CDC, Atlanta USA), estimating frequencies, percentages and correlation between junk food and hypertrophy of the tonsils. 

Results: The average age was 8.6 years (± 1.8), female sex predominated (53.9%), and prevailing symptoms were nocturnal snoring (30.3%) and dental caries (72.5%). The size of the tonsils was mostly grade 1 (31.0%) and commonly bilateral (64.2%); right predominance (5.5%). The prevalence of tonsil hypertrophy and junk food consumption was 19%. 

Conclusions: There seems to be a strong correlation between junk food consumption and palatine tonsils hypertrophy, mainly with hot sauce, hamburger and French fries, and not with instant drinks. 

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Author Biography

José Alejandro Carías Díaz, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Autónoma de Honduras.

Profesor titular II, Unidad de Investigación Cientifica, UNAH

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Published

2021-02-22

How to Cite

1.
Carías Díaz JA, Díaz V, Barrientos JC, Simons Morales P, Naira D. Prevalence, description of tonsillar hypertrophy and correlation with junk food consumption. Rev Cubana Otorrinolaringol Cirug Cabeza Cuello [Internet]. 2021 Feb. 22 [cited 2025 Mar. 13];5(1). Available from: https://revotorrino.sld.cu/index.php/otl/article/view/166

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2021): enero-abril

Section

Artículos originales de investigación

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