Risk and protection factors associated to growth retardation in children 12 to 120 months of age in Mexico

With the purpose to identify the risk factors of growth retardation in children of a semi‐rural County of Arandas, Jalisco, we included in a cross sectional study 432 children 12 to 120 months identifying socioeconomic, demographic, dietetics and pathological characteristics and the index height/age (z) (< ‐ 1 and – 2 z score). A chi square test and Odd Ratio (CI 95%) were also obtained. The major risk factors for height/age deficit were: > 3 children in the family [OR 1.71 (1.01, 2.87)], soft drinks intake > 4 times a week [OR 2.36 (1.19, 4.73)], the families monthly income < 200 USA dollars [OR 3.5 (1.28, 9.76)] and per capita food expenses < 10% of a minimum salary (100 USA dollars a month) [OR 1.81 (1.06, 3.09)]; age < 24 months [OR 2.02 (1.09, 3.75)], adding sweeteners to bottle [OR 8.56 (1.84, 54.9)], diet modification during diarrhea [OR 2.40 (1.02, 5.77)] and milk intake < 4 times a week [OR 2.71 (1.55, 4.73)]. The protection factors were: being part of a nuclear family [OR 0.28 (0.09, 0.85)] and an adequate infant formula dilution [OR 0.71 (0.60, 0.85)]. In the logistic model the risk factors were higher intake of soft drinks and beans and adding sweeteners to the bottle, with or without milk. It is important to increase the intake of high quality foods, as meat and dairy foods, and the discouragement of improper food habits as higher soft drinks intake and all forms of sweetened liquids, especially in early years. Funded by CONACYT.