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[Malnutrition in pre-school infants in migrant families]
G M Núñez-Rocha1, M Bullen-Navarro, B C Castillo-Treviño
1Unidad Regional de Investigación Epidemiológica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey Nuevo León, México.
Insights
Migrant children face significantly higher malnutrition rates compared to non-migrant children. This highlights the need for targeted nutritional interventions and health planning for at-risk migrant populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Global Health
- Socioeconomic Determinants of Health
Background:
- Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Understanding the impact of migration on child nutrition is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare malnutrition prevalence between migrant and non-migrant children aged 1-6 years.
- To identify if migration status is associated with increased risk of malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- A randomized selection of 160 children (1-6 years) from marginalized areas.
- Malnutrition assessment using WHO-recommended weight-for-height and height-for-age indicators.
- Migration defined as any geographical movement within the last 6 years.
Main Results:
- The malnutrition rate was substantially higher in migrant children (51.3%) compared to non-migrant children (28.8%).
- Migrant children exhibited a statistically significant increased odds of malnutrition (OR = 2.6, CI 95% = 1.2, 5.2, p = 0.006).
- Mean height-for-age Z-scores indicated chronic malnutrition in both groups, with slightly lower scores in migrant children.
Conclusions:
- Migrant children represent a high-risk group requiring specific nutritional interventions.
- Migration status is a critical factor to consider in public health planning and resource allocation for child nutrition programs.
Objective:
To compare malnutrition rates between migrant and non-migrant children.
Material And Methods:
One-hundred and sixty children 1-6 years old were selected at random from schools located in highly marginated areas. Excluded were infants with congenital malformations or under nutritional intervention. Migration was defined as any geographical movement during the last 6 years. Malnutrition was assessed through the weight/height and height/age indicators, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Results:
Fifty-nine percent of the infants belonged to families whose father had a non-qualified occupation, 27.5% of them did not finish elementary school. Fifty-three referred migration; malnutrition rate was 51.3% among migrant infants and 28.8%, among non-migrant infants (OR = 2.6, CI 95% = 1.2, 5.2, p = 0.006). Migrant children registered a mean Z score of -2.4 +/- .40 and non-migrant children, -2.3 +/- .33, based on the indicator height for age.
Conclusions:
Chronic malnutrition among migrant infants justifies a nutritional intervention, they constitute a specific group at risk. Migration should be considered for health planning.