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Nutrition Status of Children in Rural and Urban Areas in Ecuador
Author(s) -
Katuli Sozina Dora,
Natto Zuhair,
Beeson Lawrence W,
Cordero-MacIntyre Zaida R
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.814.5
Subject(s) - underweight , bioelectrical impedance analysis , medicine , logistic regression , demography , standard score , rural area , body mass index , weight for age , anthropometry , pediatrics , overweight , pathology , sociology , machine learning , computer science
Objective To determine the effect of geographical location on nutrition status of children in Ecuador. Methods 171 school‐aged children (ages 7–15) were assessed using height‐for‐age (stunting), weight‐for‐age (underweight), and BMI‐for‐age indices based on the World Health Organization reference standards. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and percent body fat calculated using the Lohman's equation. Independent t‐test, multiple and logistic linear regression were performed on nutrition indices. Results The overall prevalence of under‐nutrition (<−2 z score) were significantly higher in urban areas (p<0.001), with 11.4 percent of children stunted and 1.8 percent underweight. In the rural areas children were only mildly stunted and underweight (below −1 z score). Mean z score indices for both height‐for‐age and weight‐for‐age were found to be significantly lower among urban children than for rural children (p<0.001). When adjusted for age and sex, living in urban areas had a negative influence on height for age (regression coeff= −.811, p <0.001). Urban children were also 4 times more likely of becoming mildly stunted (OR=3.95% CL 1.818, 8.448) and 3 times more likely of being mildly underweight (OR=3. 95% CL 1.241, 7.551). Conclusion Living in urban areas of Ecuador is a predisposing factor to poor nutrition among children. Sponsored by Loma Linda University.