Malnutrition prevalence among children and women of reproductive age in Mexico by wealth, education level, urban/rural area and indigenous ethnicity

Abstract

Objective: To compare the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition and excess weight) by wealth, education level, ethnicity and urban/rural areas in Mexican children and women of reproductive age. Design: We compared the prevalence of overweight, obesity, wasting/underweight, stunting/short stature and anaemia by socioeconomic and ethnic indicators. For each indicator, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) adjusted by all other socioeconomic and ethnic indicators. We analysed if results differed by urban/rural areas. Setting: Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012. Participants: Children <5 years, non-pregnant women 11–19 years and non-pregnant women 20–49 years (n 33 244). Results: In most age groups, belonging to non-indigenous households, with high wealth, high education and in urban areas were inversely associated with stunting or short stature (PR ranging from 0·40 to 0·83), and wealth and education were inversely associated with anaemia (PR ranging from 0·53 to 0·78). The prevalence of overweight was similar across subgroups among children <5 years; however, among women 11–19 years, wealth, non-indigenous household and urban areas were positively associated (PR ranging from 1·16 to 1·33); and among women 20–49 years, education was inversely associated (PR 0·83). Conclusions: Socially disadvantaged populations have a higher prevalence of undernutrition, whereas the prevalence of excess weight is either equal (children <5 years), slightly lower (women 11–19 years) or even higher (women 20–49 years) with lower education. These results highlight the need for specific actions to address social inequalities in malnutrition in the Mexican population.

Association of Family Nutrition and Physical Activity with Preschooler’s Working Memory: A Cross-Sectional Study among Mexican Children

“…However, the underrep-resentation of children from countries that are also experiencing the dual burden of the nutrition transition in studies of cognitive health and working memory limited our ability to compare the study findings with previous studies. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the association of breakfast intake and family lifestyle behaviors with working memory in a current sample of children experiencing the dual burden of nutrition, with high prevalence and risk of both underweight and obesity [1,38,39]. The dual nutrition burden may have several implications for children's cognitive development.…”

“…The dual nutrition burden may have several implications for children's cognitive development. Recent studies have shown iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among young Mexican children living in socioeconomic disadvantage [38]. Nutrition deficiencies, including iron deficiency anemia have the potential to negatively affect the development of children's working memory, attention, and emerging executive functions [7,38].…”

Nutritional policies for health in Mexico: the message is (not) clear

“…According to the 2019 global burden of disease study, Mexico's top five causes of disease burden and death were all metabolically related (1), and eight of the top 10 factors that lead to the top causes of death are directly related to eating habits; the top three being, high fasting plasma glucose, high blood pressure and elevated body mass index (1). Industrialization and globalization have undoubtedly transformed food systems worldwide and helped reduce the prevalence of famine and undernutrition (2). However, the widespread availability of foods that are energy rich, high in saturated fats and high in sugar content, have not been accompanied by adequate policies, regulatory measures, as well as sufficient educational programs.…”

“…However, the widespread availability of foods that are energy rich, high in saturated fats and high in sugar content, have not been accompanied by adequate policies, regulatory measures, as well as sufficient educational programs. As a result, Mexico and other western countries, have registered a rise in nutritional disparities and lifestyle-related diseases, and the coexistence of pandemic levels of famine and overweight/obesity, also known as the double burden of malnutrition (2).…”

Factors Associated With Dietary Quality During Initial and Later Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico

“…Overweight and obesity are widespread, affecting 70% of Mexican adults, close to 40% of adolescents, and 35% of children ( 7 , 8 ). Undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are also enduring public health challenges among segments of the population ( 9 ). The elevated consumption of foods that are high in saturated fat and/or added sugar and low nutrient density (discretionary foods) and sugar-sweetened beverages, coupled with inadequate consumption of essential foods such as fruits, vegetables and legumes before the pandemic, are known to have contributed to the double burden of malnutrition ( 10 , 11 ).…”