Association between nutritional status and socioeconomic and gestational conditions in preschool children in rural communities of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Introduction

In children under 5 years of age, there are four types of undernutrition: wasting, stunting, underweight, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In Mexico, 12.8% of children under 5 years of age suffer from stunting, and 4.1% are underweight. Undernutrition is related to socioeconomic, educational, and access to health services conditions. The main objective of this study is to associate nutritional status with socioeconomic and gestational conditions in preschool children in three locations in the municipality of San Miguel Quetzaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, with sub-analysis by age (0–36 and over 36 months).

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural locations in the municipality of San Miguel Quetzaltepec, Oaxaca, including 267 preschool children; the criterion used was the odds ratio for short stature in preschoolers by the number of living children in Mexico.

Results

Half of the preschoolers with short mothers (<145 cm) had moderate to severe undernutrition. Belonging to the lowest socioeconomic tertile was diagnosed as mild undernutrition. Low birth weight was associated with overweight or obesity in 20% of the participants. Specifically in children under 36 months, the greatest impact is observed in height for age with respect to the variables of mother’s height and birth weight.

Conclusions

Low birth weight and socioeconomic conditions also influence children’s nutritional status. A program should be created to raise awareness among women and men who wish to procreate and families with children aged 0 to 36 months about the importance of good nutrition, pre- and postnatal care, and promoting breastfeeding.