Prevalência e fatores associados à desnutrição e ao excesso de peso em menores de cinco anos nos seis maiores municípios do Maranhão

Abstract

Prevalences of malnutrition and overweight among children under five years and its association with socioeconomic, demographic and health indicators were estimated for the six largest municipalities of Maranhão, in 2006/2007. By means of a household survey, a sample of 1214 children under five years of age was randomly selected. Two-stage cluster sampling was used, representing the six municipalities of Maranhão with over one hundred thousand inhabitants. Standardized questionnaire was administered to mothers or guardians and trained personnel measured weight and height or length. For classification of malnutrition cutoff points of <-2z scores for weight-for-age, weight-for-length/height and length/height-for-age were used. Overweight was considered when weight for height was > +2 z score, following World Health Organization guidelines. By weight-for-age malnutrition prevalence was 4.5, by length/height-for-age 8.5% were stunted and by the weight-for-length/height 3.9% were malnourished (wasting), while 6.7% were overweight. Children of families headed by women had lower prevalence of malnutrition (prevalence ratio=0.4). Socioeconomic variables were not associated with malnutrition or overweight. Participation in money transfer programs from the government was not associated with malnutrition or overweight. The prevalence of malnutrition was low, but being overweight was more prevalent than malnutrition. Social inequality was not detected in relation to malnutrition in children under five years of age, suggesting a favorable trend towards greater equity.

<b>Nutritional status of children under five years living in area of social vulnerability of Campina Grande, Paraíba State

“…However, prevalence in current study is consistent with other studies at different locations in Brazil (Chagas et al, 2013;Saavedra & Câmara, 2010;Silva & Moura, 2010;Silveira et al, 2010;Souza, Benício, Castro, Muniz, & Cardoso, 2012). The above indicated that there may be populations where acute malnutrition is significant from the point of view of public health.…”

Nutritional situation of children under five years old in Brazil’s northeastern cities

“…Deficit = > -2 SD; Eutrophy = -1 > SD > +1; Excess = < + 2 SD between 1 and 11 years of age of the city of La Plata, Argentina. The study entitled "Health Care in Maranhão" ("Atenção à Saúde no Maranhão") 33 , undertaken in 2006/7 on children of less than 5 years of age, found prevalences of undernourishment by the indices weight/age (4.5%) and weight/height (3.9%) greater than those observed in this present study. It also found a prevalence of 6.7% of overweight for height, below those observed for the municipalities of Barra de São Miguel and Cabedelo, and greater than that observed in the municipality of Tibau do Sul.…”

“…Chagas et al 33 found a prevalence of low height for age greater than those observed in this study, with a percentage of 8.5% of children of less than five years of age residing in municipalities of Maranhão with a height for age deficit.…”

Saúde e nutrição das crianças assistidas em creches públicas do município de Campina Grande, Paraíba

“…A proporção de crianças usuárias de creches do presente estudo com excesso de peso/estatura (8,36%) foi superior à reportada na PNDS 10 para as crianças brasileiras menores de 5 anos (7,3%), bem como em relação à região Nordeste (7,1%). Nota-se ainda que a taxa de sobrepeso encontrada nesta pesquisa foi superior às encontradas em outros estudos realizados com crianças assistidas por creches públicas no Nordeste do Brasil 33,34 , bem como de estudos cujo cenário não foi especificamente o contexto escolar 30,35 . Porém prevalências concordantes ou maiores que as do presente estudo foram reportadas entre crianças nordestinas, tanto as assistidas em creches 32,36 quanto as de base populacional 31,37 .…”