Coexistence of maternal central adiposity and child stunting in Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To assess the coexistence of maternal adiposity and child stunting (CS) in Mexico, estimate its national prevalence and identify the associated socio-demographic factors. Methods: A secondary analysis from the Mexican Nutrition Survey 1999, a nationally representative survey, was conducted. Mother and children subsamples were matched and a total of 6225 mother/child pairs were obtained. Stunting was defined as height-for-age z-scores oÀ2.0. Maternal body mass index (BMI) was classified according to World Health Organization recommended cutoff points. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated by dividing waist by hip circumferences. Logistic regression models were fitted to explore the coexistence of CS and maternal central adiposity (MCA) (WHRX0.85) while controlling for biological and socio-demographic factors. Results: A total of 5974 pairs had complete information. MCA coexisted with CS in 6.2% of the mother/child pairs. The phenomenon was more prevalent in rural locations, in the south region and among indigenous families (14.5, 12.5 and 23.9%). After controlling for child age and maternal BMI, a 78% increase in the likelihood of CS was related to maternal WHR X0.85 (odds ratio (OR) ¼ 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) ¼ 1.53, 2.10). After controlling for maternal height, the magnitude of the OR decreased (OR ¼ 1.33, 95%CI ¼ 1.13, 1.57), but remained significant. Therefore, it is suggested that women with a WHR B1 have had twice the probability of having a stunted child as those with a WHR of 0.65. Conclusion: Although MCA and CS are two conditions frequently regarded as result of opposite determinants, our observation suggests that this is not necessarily the case, particularly in populations undergoing the nutrition transition. MCA was associated not only to chronic diseases, but also to child stunting.

Prevalencia de obesidad en adultos mexicanos, ENSANUT 2012

“…En otras palabras, en países en vías de desarrollo como México, donde la desnutrición ha sido un problema mayor y continúa sin resolverse satisfactoriamente en localidades vulnerables, es necesario mantener un enfoque que atienda el problema de la doble carga de la enfermedad. 26,31 Así, medidas como la promoción efectiva de la lactancia materna y alimentación complementaria deben tomar un papel central en las acciones para control y prevención de la obesidad. 32 También es importante incrementar los esfuerzos por promover una alimentación saludable centrada en alimentos y preparaciones tradicionales y buscar formas de orientar a la población a hacer elecciones saludables cuando consuman alimentos industrializados en los cuales el contenido de azúcar, grasa, sodio y su densidad energética total suelen ser elevados y problemáticos para la prevención y control del peso saludable.…”

A 15-year study on the treatment of undernourished children at a nutrition rehabilitation centre (CREN), Brazil

“…This situation has led to increased violence, undernutrition and family breakdown, along with a reduction in the level of schooling. In addition, there is considerable evidence indicating that undernutrition in early life results in harmful consequences over the long term, including obesity, CVD and diabetes (7)(8)(9)(10) .…”

The double burden of malnutrition and cardiometabolic risk widens the gender and socio-economic health gap: a study among adults in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

“…Evidence suggests that the nutrition transition in developing countries is occurring rapidly, which contributes to the double burden of malnutrition, i.e. the overlap of CMRF and malnutrition within the same population group, the same household or the same individual (14)(15)(16)(17) . Few studies have addressed the issue of this double nutritional burden, and they have primarily considered the overlap of overweight/obesity and undernutrition in populations as a whole (18,19) or within households (15,16) .…”

“…the overlap of CMRF and malnutrition within the same population group, the same household or the same individual (14)(15)(16)(17) . Few studies have addressed the issue of this double nutritional burden, and they have primarily considered the overlap of overweight/obesity and undernutrition in populations as a whole (18,19) or within households (15,16) . The double burden of malnutrition and CMRF in individuals has been little studied (20,21) , particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where it is poorly documented (22) .…”