Related Experiment Videos
[Prevalence of malnutrition in minors under 5 years of age in Tabasco]
L G Lastra-Escudero1, S G Roldán-Fernández, E Hernández-Martínez
1Secretaía de Salud del Gobierno del Estado de Tabasco (SSA-Tabasco), México.
Insights
Malnutrition prevalence in Tabasco, Mexico, decreased between 1991 and 1996. This study found 41% of children under five had malnutrition, with improvements noted in nutrition status and critical health districts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Child malnutrition is a significant public health issue in developing regions.
- Mexico has faced challenges in addressing nutritional deficiencies in young children.
- The Tabasco region's specific nutritional landscape required focused evaluation.
Purpose:
- To assess the prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years old in Tabasco, Mexico.
- To analyze the trends in malnutrition from 1991 to 1996.
- To evaluate the impact of health system interventions on malnutrition rates.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed 1,256 children under five across 593 communities in Tabasco.
- Results indicated 41% of children exhibited malnutrition (26.12% slight, 12.62% moderate, 2.39% severe).
- Malnutrition prevalence in children aged 1-5 years was 45%.
Impact:
- The study observed a decrease in malnutrition rates and an increase in normal nutrition status between 1991 and 1996.
- Health system activities contributed to a reduction in critical malnutrition indicators across health districts, from 6 to 4.
- Findings provide valuable data for targeted public health interventions to combat child malnutrition in the region.
Objective:
To evaluate malnutrition prevalence in children under five years-old in Tabasco, Mexico, during 1996, and their evolution in 1991-1996.
Material And Methods:
A cross-sectional study, including 1,256 children under five years-old in 593 communities (31 urban and 562 rural) from 17 sanitary districts.
Results:
The weight/age indicator for malnutrition in children under five years old showed 59% of children had normal nutrition and 41% with malnutrition, distributed as follows: 26.12% slight, 12.62% moderate and 2.39% severe. In children between 1-5 years old, malnutrition prevalence was 45%.
Conclusions:
The number of children with malnutrition in Tabasco during the study period (1991-1996) has decreased in proportion to the increase of those with normal nutrition. Based on the health system activities, the number of health districts with critical malnutrition indicators decreased from 6 to 4.