[Hunger perception and stunting among children living in poor conditions from the north of Argentina].
BACKGROUND
Nutritional status depicts not only the nourishing balance but also the conditions of life. Proper food availability, in form and amount, are aspects of food security.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationships between hunger perception and stunting.


METHODS
Stratified and multiple step sample from nine provinces from the north of Argentina (n= 3630, children between 6 months to 6 years old living under poor conditions). Hunger perception was explored according to the methodology of the Service of Economic Investigation of the Department of Agriculture of the United States. Row data were converted to z scores and compared against Argentinean growth standard. The comparison took into account the -2 standard deviation cut of point and the standardized prevalence of low height.


RESULTS
69.5% of the population experienced hunger, varying severe hunger between 38.0 to 48.0% according to provinces. The prevalence of stunting (< - 2SD) was between 10-15%. There was association between perception of hunger, height distribution and the standardized prevalence of low height. There was no association between jurisdiction and perception of hunger.


CONCLUSIONS
For children, food insecurity conditions and structural poverty conditions were associated with stunting.
Bolzán
Andrés
A
Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Hospital Durand. andresbolzan@yahoo.com.ar
Mercer
Raúl
R
D001118:Argentina; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D012189:Retrospective Studies