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Nutritional evaluation of children in high‐risk rural and indigenous populations in Panama
Author(s) -
Hicks Penni Davila,
Sinisterra Odalis,
Abrams Steven A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a312-a
Subject(s) - panama , malnutrition , indigenous , anemia , population , medicine , environmental health , nutritional deficiency , incidence (geometry) , rural area , demography , pediatrics , gerontology , geography , biology , ecology , physics , pathology , sociology , optics
Background: Panama continues to have a substantial incidence of malnutrition. Among the most affected populations are children in rural areas and in indigenous populations. Methods: We evaluated nutritional status of preschool (PS) and school‐aged (SA) children in two high‐risk areas in Panama to determine the prevalence of growth‐failure, anemia, Fe and Zn deficiency. Results: (data are Mean ± SEM) Discussion: These data demonstrate a high rate of malnutrition in this population. Although weight recovery occurs in SA children, longitudinal growth failure does not improve during this time. Iron and Zn deficiency are more common in PS than SA children. Intervention programs should focus on PS age groups. Anemia in PS children is primarily Fe deficient; in SA children it is likely associated with other issues such as parasite infection. Supported by Adan A. Rios Foundation, Houston TX & Panama City, Panama