[Prevalence of malnutrition in Tarahumara children under 5 years of age in the municipality of Guachochi, Chihuahua].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among Tarahumara children under 5 years of age in the municipality of Guachochi, Chihuahua, Mexico.


METHODS
During the summer of 1996, we interviewed a representative sample of 450 children from 62 communities, stratified by size of population. The sample represents 12.2% of the total number of Tarahumaras in the municipality. For each of three anthropometric indices (weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age), we calculated the Z-score in reference to NCHS population values. Results are presented as means and standard deviations as well as prevalence of malnutrition at different cut-off-points, stratified by age, sex, and size of the community.


RESULTS
Prevalence figures of malnutrition (< -2Z) were: weight-for-age: 36.4% (mean SD +/- -1.66 +/- 1.1); weight-for-height: 3.5% (mean SD +/- -0.43 +/- 0.9); and height-for-age: 57.1% (mean SD +/- -2.15 +/- 1.3). Children aged 12-23 months were the most affected, both in weight-for-height and weight-for-age (10.3% and 52.6%, respectively). Children over one year of age presented prevalences of height-for-age < -2Z over 60%. Significant sex differences (p < 0.05) were observed, favoring girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition among Tarahumara children reaches its peak during the second year of life (12-23 months old), affecting boys more than girls. This information may be useful for planning and targeting nutrition intervention programs for this underprivileged indigenous group.
Monárrez
J
J
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Chihuahua, México. monarrezj@aol.com
Martínez
H
H
D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001827:Body Height / Q000208:ethnology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence