Patterns of growth and malnutrition among preschoolers in Belize

Abstract

An anthropometric survey of 750 preschoolers was conducted 1979 in Belize to assess nutritional status in two districts, one coastal and the other inland. Mothers were interviewed concerning reproductive history, child's health and dietary history, and associated factors. Analysis included the recognition of low arm circumference, weight-for-age, stature-for-age, and weight-for-stature. Survey results indicate that about 25% of the children, birth to 5 years old, show evidence of stunting, while 2.5% show evidence of wasting. Comparisons of rates of malnutrition by ethnic group reveal the Maya and Garifuna (Black Carib) children are significantly more commonly malnourished than others. Applying a discriminant function to groups of children designated as "poor" and "better-than-average" growth classes reveals several factors which may be contributory to the etiology of preschool malnutrition in Belize. the frequency of diarrhea and age at introduction to sold foods, are significantly related to growth retardation among preschoolers. Analysis of 24-hour-diet recalls corroborates the patterning of malnutrition among the ethnic groups.

The long‐term impact of developmental stress. Evidence from later medieval and post‐medieval London (AD1117–1853)

“…These findings are similar to those of previous studies, which have shown that skeletal samples from prehistoric North America and medieval York displayed no significant age-at-death differences in AP diameter size, while the TR diameters of young adults were significantly smaller than those of older adults (Clark et al, 1986;Watts, 2011). Infants and young children are more likely to experience growth disruptions as a result of recurrent infections and malnutrition (Martorell et al, 1975;Jenkins, 1981;Goodman and Armelagos, 1989). Older children and adolescents are able to survive chronic stressors as their immune systems are mature enough to maintain a sustained immune response (Ulijaszek, 1998;Chirico, 2005).…”

“…Older children and adolescents are able to survive chronic stressors as their immune systems are mature enough to maintain a sustained immune response (Ulijaszek, 1998;Chirico, 2005). Infants and young children are more likely to experience growth disruptions as a result of recurrent infections and malnutrition (Martorell et al, 1975;Jenkins, 1981;Goodman and Armelagos, 1989). Living conditions in later medieval and post-medieval London may have prevented infants and young children recovering from stressors that were capable of disrupting their skeletal growth, while older children and adolescents were able to survive until maturity.…”

How useful is BMI in predicting adiposity indicators in a sample of Maya children and women with high levels of stunting?

“…They are a poor, marginalized group of society, which also places them at risk for negative health outcomes. The Mayans tend to be very short, with high levels of stunting (Bogin et al, 1992;Crooks, 1994;Jenkins, 1981). Using data collected in 2007 from the same neighborhoods of Merida, Mexico sampled in this study, Varela-Silva et al (2009) found that 22% of 4-6-year-old Mayan children were stunted.…”

Social class and height and weight in metropolitan madras

“…101) relates the degrees of fatness in boys and girls to the calories taken in and finds "that the higher the calorie intake the faster the maturational rate." An anthropometric survey in 1979 of infants and children (0 to 5 years of age) in Belize shows that protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and growth retardation (stunting and wasting) correlate directly with inadequate diet, illness (the frequency of diarrhea), increasing age, and lower socioeconomic status (as measured by the number of siblings in the household) (Jenkins, 1981).…”