Nutritional status of mentally retarded children in north-west Spain. I. Anthropometric indicators.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the nutritional status of mentally retarded children in the region of Galicia in north-west Spain, on the basis of anthropometric variables.


METHODS
The following variables were determined in a sample of 128 mentally retarded children (81 M, 47 F): birthweight, bodyweight, height/length, head circumference, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, arm area, arm muscle area, arm fat area, arm lean-to-fat ratio, Shukla's nutrition index and Quetelet's body mass index (BMI). A preliminary statistical analysis indicated that most information content could be maintained considering only eight of these variables. A factor analysis of the resulting 8 x 128 (variables by subjects) data matrix was performed, identifying two factors (FA1 and FA2) that together explained 82% of total variance. Taking these factors as indicators of nutritional status, the data were analysed for possible effects of age, gender, socioeconomic and family environment, intelligence quotient (IQ), presence/absence of cerebral palsy, quality of diet, appetite and antiepileptic use.


RESULTS
The analysis suggested that most subjects were in the normal nutrition range, but about 33% showed either borderline or definite malnutrition. Mean score on FA2 showed a significant negative correlation with age. Children with cerebral palsy had lower mean scores on both factors, and scores on both factors varied with IQ. Children with definite malnutrition had a significantly lower IQ than those in the normal nutrition range. Mean score on both factors varied with appetite and quality of diet. The mean FAI score of children from inland-rural areas was significantly lower than that of children from coastal or urban areas. Mean FA1 score increased with increasing age of the parents. The prevalence of obesity was 13% when obesity was defined on the basis of Shukla's nutrition index, and 19% when defined on the basis of FA1 score.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition as revealed by anthropometric variables occurs with a high prevalence among mentally retarded children. The prevalence increases with age, increasing IQ deficit and cerebral palsy.
Sánchez-Lastres
J
J
Departamento de Pediatría, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Eirís-Puñal
J
J
Otero-Cepeda
J L
JL
Pavón-Belinchón
P
P
Castro-Gago
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000145:classification*; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology