Prevalence and Predictors of Malnutrition among Guatemalan Children at 2 Years of Age

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify the prevalence and predictors of malnutrition among 2-year old children in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.MethodsProspective cohort of 852 Guatemalan children in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala followed from birth to age 2 from May 2008 to December 2013. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and health data of children was collected at 2 month intervals.ResultsAmong the 402 males and 450 females in the cohort, mean weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) declined from -0.67 ± 1.01 at 1 year to -1.07 ± 0.87 at 2 years, while mean height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) declined from -1.88 ± 1.19 at 1 year to -2.37 ± 0.99 at 2 years. Using multiple linear regression modeling, number of children <5 years old, vomiting in the past week, fever in the past week, and WAZ at 1 year were significant predictors of WAZ at 2 years. Significant predictors of HAZ at 2 years included household size, number of children <5 years old, diarrhea in the past week, WAZ at 1 year, and HAZ at 1 year. Vomiting in the past week and WAZ at 1 year were significant predictors of weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) at 2 years.ConclusionsNumber of children <5 years old, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea in the previous week, and prior nutritional status were the most significant predictors of malnutrition in this cohort. Future research may focus on the application of models to develop predictive algorithms for mobile device technology, as well as the identification of other predictors of malnutrition that are not well characterized such as the interaction of environmental exposures with protein consumption and epigenetics.

Prevalence and Determinants of Stunting Among Preschool Children and Its Urban–Rural Disparities in Bangladesh

“…These findings were confirmed by other studies, where they also found that male children were significantly more likely to suffer from stunting. 17,22,41 The reason for this gender divergence is not well established, but it is believed that boys are more influenced by environmental stress than girls. 42 Our study also demonstrated that maternal education was a significant positive factor for controlling childhood stunting, and a child from a higher-educated mother suffers less, and findings are in line with other studies.…”

Inequality of childhood undernutrition in Bangladesh: A decomposition approach

“…Various studies have identified different socioeconomic and maternal factors that are strongly associated with different forms of undernutrition (ie, stunting, wasting, and underweight). [5][6][7][8]28,29 Based on the published literature, a number of explanatory variables, such as age and sex of the children, maternal age, education, access to electronic media, residence, and socioeconomic status, were included in the decomposition analysis. Maternal education was categorized as no education, primary level of education, and secondary and higher secondary level of education.…”

“…However, socioeconomic inequity because of undernutrition has become a critical concern as such inequity is present throughout the developing world . Several studies have documented that children from richer families and living in urban areas are better‐off in terms of nutritional indicators than their poorer and rural counterparts . In addition, urban‐rural disparities continue to exist in education, economic status, employment opportunity, and other sociocultural dimensions that have a significant impact on child health .…”

“…4 Several studies have documented that children from richer families and living in urban areas are better-off in terms of nutritional indicators than their poorer and rural counterparts. [5][6][7][8] In addition, urban-rural disparities continue to exist in education, economic status, employment opportunity, and other sociocultural dimensions that have a significant impact on child health. 9,10 Adequate nutritional intake in the early stages of children's lives is essential for proper development of organs and their optimal performance.…”

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Children With Protein –Energy Malnutrition

“…We found that there was association between vomiting and malnutrition, 58.7% of malnourished children had vomiting. Nagata‫‬ et al showed that vomiting and WAZ at 1 year were significant predictors of undernutrition at 2 years [22] . Although, Sermet-Gaudelus et al in 2000) showed that vomiting was not significant predictors of undernutrition [23] .…”