Stunting Distribution in Mexico, An Unsolved Problem

Lucia Cuevas-Nasu, Teresa Shamah-Levy, MarcoAntonio Avila Arcos, Luz María Gómez-Acosta
2020 Current Developments in Nutrition  
Objectives To update the stunting prevalence among Mexican preschool children and its association with socio demographic variables and social development programs. Results from National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 (ENSANUT 2018). Methods ENSANUT-2018 is a national survey based on a multistage, stratified design. It is representative of the urban and rural areas and the four regions of Mexico: north, central, south and Mexico City and is comparable with the national surveys conducted in
more » ... co since 1988. In 2018, the sample consisted of 3868 preschool-age children (9 million 738 thousand subjects aged 0–4 years). Measurements included weight and height. The stunting, low weight and wasting (<−2 SD of z-score) prevalence's were obtained according to OMS 2006. Prevalences were adjusted for study design. Results Currently in Mexico, the stunting prevalence is 16.3%, that represent a million and a half of preschool children in such condition. In 2012 this cipher was three percentage points lower (13.6%). Low weight and wasting are at present 5.0% and 1.4% respectively. In rural localities from the south region of the Country stunting prevalence is 20%. In 40% of the households with low or very low Socioeconomic Index (NSE) a stunted preschool child lives. To inhabit in rural localities from the south of the country and live in a household with low NSE is positively associated with stunting in Mexico. Conclusions Mexico shows a slight increase of the stunting prevalence in contrast with the seen on previous decades. Chronical malnutrition is a risk factor for health, survival and children development, due to this, efforts must be enhanced for its control and prevention. Funding Sources Supported by Ministry of Health, Mexico.
doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa061_019 fatcat:mrykvuhhnrewpoqgffzo2mm3qe