Changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones provinces (Argentina) over the last two decades

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in Argentine children and adolescents over the last two decades, and analyze their relationship with family socioeconomic conditions. Methods: We compared data in two cross-sectional studies (C) of schoolchildren (n: 4971) aged 4 to 13 years from three provinces: Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Misiones. C1 was carried out between 2005 and 2009 and C2 between 2010 and 2019. Anthropometric (body weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds) and socioeconomic data of both studies were obtained in the same schools by the same investigators, using a similar methodology. The prevalence of nutritional status and the frequency of family socioeconomic conditions were calculated by province and C. Data were analyzed by chi square test, categorical principal component analysis and generalized linear model. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition decreased in C2 in Buenos Aires and Misiones and remained constant in Mendoza. At the same time, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in the three provinces, around 13% in Buenos Aires and 9% in Mendoza and Misiones. Similarly, fat mass increased in C2. Undernutrition was associated with inadequate family socioeconomic conditions only in C1.Conclusions: This 14-year follow-up study shows a decreasing trend in the prevalence of undernutrition and an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and fat mass in the child and adolescent population of Argentina. Also, a marked deterioration in family socioeconomic conditions was found, but its relationship with the changes in nutritional status remains to be elucidated.

Decline in pubertal timing and its relationship with excess weight. A study of the secular trend in age at menarche in girls from La Plata district (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

“…Although EW (considering both overweight and obesity) was greater in C2 than C1, the biggest difference was found in the age range group of girls below the median AgM (12 years old), with markedly inter-cohort increases, particularly in obesity. This coincides with the observed child and adolescent obesity registered in Argentina, where EW was informed as the prevalent malnutrition condition (Bejarano et al, 2019;Cesani et al, 2022;ENNyS2, 2019;Orden, 2023;Orden et al, 2021). Likewise, logistic regression results indicated a greater probability of M in girls with EW.…”

“…A recent 14‐year follow‐up study of the nutritional status of schoolchildren from three provinces of Argentina conducted by our research group showed an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and fat mass, and that these populations have not yet reached the plateau pattern of excess weight (EW) (Cesani et al, 2022). In Buenos Aires province, overweight and obesity increased by 13.4% between 2005 and 2019.…”

Comparison of frame index reference percentiles in Argentine and European boys and girls

“…These data become more relevant if we consider that in addition to physical activity, nutrition also conditions bone strength. In this regard, several authors have reported that the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity increased significantly during the last three decades in Argentina (Cesani et al, 2022;Guimarey et al, 2014;Navazo et al, 2018;Orden et al, 2013). However, it has also been observed that together with excess weight increase, muscle tissue showed a negative secular trend (Guimarey et al, 2014).…”

Reference percentiles for tri‐ponderal mass index and its association with general and abdominal obesity among Iranian children and adolescents: A report from the SHED LIGHT study

“…Childhood obesity is now considered as a major public health issue worldwide, and its prevalence has been progressively increased (Cesani et al, 2022; Collaboration, 2017; Kelishadi et al, 2014; Kumar & Kelly, 2017; Tabib et al, 2022). The report on worldwide obesity demonstrated that the prevalence of obesity has been doubled since 1980.…”