Evolution of the nutritional situation of indigenous and non-indigenous Chilean schoolchildren.
BACKGROUND
Latin American countries show accelerated but ethnically or socially differentiated changes in their epidemiological profiles.


OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the evolution of the nutritional situation (1997-2005) in Chilean schoolchildren as related to ethnical origin (Mapuche).


METHODS
Using official databases, stunting (height/age <or= - 2 z-scores), undernutrition (body mass index (BMI) <or= - 2 z-scores) and obesity (BMI >or=95 percentile) were ascribed in first-grade schoolchildren. Ethnic groups were assigned by native parents' surnames (none, one and two).


RESULTS
Based on 1 757 155 children (average age: 76.3 months), in 1997 stunting reached 8.4%, 4.8% and 3.1% in children with two, one and no Mapuche surnames, respectively. In 2005 it fell to 3.7%, 3.1% and 2.6% - a marked decrease in those with two Mapuche surnames (p<0.001). Obesity in 1997 was 11.8%, 12.8% and 13.3%, whilst in 2005 it changed to 17.5, 18.5 and 18.6%, respectively, demonstrating a similar trend to obesity in all groups (p=0.153). Undernutrition was rare (<1.1%) and stable. Poverty decreased clearly among the Mapuche population in this period.


CONCLUSIONS
The marked decrease in stunting in children with a strong indigenous background seems related to a decrease in poverty over the period. Yet, the increase of obesity in all groups deserves further analysis.
Bustos
Patricia
P
Department of Nutrition, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. pbustos@med.uchile.cl
Muñoz
Sergio
S
Vargas
Claudio
C
Amigo
Hugo
H
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population; D012922:Social Change; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*