Pobreza, desnutrição e obesidade: inter-relação de estados nutricionais de indivíduos de uma mesma família

Abstract

Chronic malnutrition in infancy and obesity associated with short stature in adulthood may share common biological and socio-environmental determinants. An analysis of intra-family nutrition status distribution patterns may provide elements for understanding the risk factors common to these physiological conditions. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the intra-family distribution of nutritional conditions in pauperized families occurs, examining related social, environmental and biological factors. An impoverished population (income less than US$ 70) was studied in two rural areas of São Paulo State, Brazil: Monteiro Lobato and Santo Antônio do Pinhal. The sample consisted of members of these families, with 215 children younger than 71.11 months; mothers (197), fathers (167) and siblings (6 to 18 years of age). A hierarchical logistic regression analysis model was prepared. The mothers' educational levels, the number of rooms in the home, age below 24 months and problems at birth, were all associated with height deficits in children, together with short maternal stature, especially when associated with obesity. Additionally, a marked association was noted between height deficits in these children and chronic malnutrition among their older siblings (6 to 18 years old). Children aged 24 months or less presented more severe risks of delayed growth.

Avaliação do estado nutricional de crianças menores de 10 anos no município de Ferros, Minas Gerais

“…Various studies point out that the mother's lack of information contributes directly or indirectly to her nutritional status, morbidity and mortality (3,(13)(14)(15)(16)19) . The educational level of mothers in the municipality was observed to be poor.…”

“…The first is an important parameter since it detects low height, the indicator for a multifaced privation with prevalence currently considered as a suitable indicator to express the quality of a population's conditions of life, and of chronic malnutrition (1,3) .…”

“…The phenomenon described as nutritional transition shows the coexistence of the same community presenting malnutrition and overweight/obesity (19) . Many studies point out those children who are affected by chronic malnutrition can potentially become obese in adult life (3,19) .…”

“…Most cases, however, have a secondary cause: the intake of food that is poor in basic nutrients, i.e., they result from insufficient food intake or hunger (2)(3) .…”

Estado nutricional de menores de 5 anos de idade no Brasil: evidências da polarização epidemiológica nutricional

“…Considering its complex and multifactorial character 9 , a child's nutritional status is determined by the population's living conditions, particularly regarding social and economic aspects 10,11 .…”