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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[Infant malnutrition and obesity in two population-based birth cohort studies in southern Brazil: trends and
1Departamentos de Nutrição e Medicina Social, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96001-970, Brasil.
Insights
Childhood malnutrition deficits decreased, but obesity prevalence increased in Pelotas, Brazil, between 1982 and 1993. Lower income was linked to malnutrition, while higher income correlated with increased infant obesity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Two population-based birth cohort studies were conducted in Pelotas, Brazil, in 1982 and 1993.
- These studies aimed to assess trends in anthropometric deficits and obesity in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in the prevalence of underweight and obesity in children at 12 months of age over an 11-year period.
- To examine the association between socioeconomic status and these anthropometric outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design tracking two birth cohorts (1982 and 1993).
- Home visits at approximately 12 months of age for anthropometric measurements (weight and height).
- Statistical analysis comparing prevalence rates and associations with income.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of weight-for-age deficits decreased from 5.4% to 3.8%, and weight-for-height deficits from 1.3% to 0.8%.
- Height-for-age deficits slightly increased from 5.3% to 6.1%.
- Obesity prevalence increased significantly from 4.0% to 6.7%, with a positive association with income, except in the wealthiest group.
Conclusions:
- While severe malnutrition decreased, childhood obesity emerged as a growing public health concern in Pelotas.
- Socioeconomic disparities persist, with malnutrition concentrated in lower-income families and obesity increasingly prevalent in higher-income groups.
Abstract:
Prevalence of anthropometric deficits and of obesity were studied in two population-based birth cohort studies in the city of Pelotas in Southern Brazil, in 1982 and 1993. All hospital delivered babies in each one-year period were identified, and samples of approximately 20% were visited at home at around 12 months of age, totalling 1,449 children submitted to anthropometric examination in 1982 and 1,359 in 1993. Losses and refusals accounted for 20% of the children in 1982 and 7% in 1993. In this 11-year period, prevalence of weight/age deficits (below -2 standard deviations of the NCHS reference) fell from 5.4% to 3.8%, while that of weight/height dropped from 1.3% to 0.8%. Height/age deficits increased slightly, from 5.3% to 6.1%, while the proportion of obese children increased from 4.0% to 6.7%. The increase in weight at 12 months was due to a more rapid weight gain in the first year, since birthweights remained unchanged. About 10% of the children from the lowest income group had weight/age or height/age deficits, compared to 3% or less of those with a high family income. On the other hand, obesity showed a direct association with income, except for the wealthiest group, where the prevalence dropped, possibly due to concern among these families about the consequences of infant obesity.
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