Growth status of indigenous school children 6-14 years in the Tarahumara Sierra, Northern Mexico, in 1990 and 2007.
OBJECTIVE
The study evaluated the growth status and secular change in body size of indigenous Tarahumara children in northern Mexico.


METHODS
Heights and weights of Tarahumara children 6-14 years were measured in 1990 (n = 601) and 2007 (n = 583); the BMI was calculated. International criteria defined weight status while United States reference data defined stunting.


RESULTS
Estimated secular gains in height from 1990 to 2007 were greatest in 6-7 year-old boys and declined with age to a small, non-significant secular decline in boys 12-14 years. Among girls secular gains in height were similar at 6-7 and 8-9 years, largest at 10-11 years and small and non-significant at 12-14 years. Secular gains in weight were similar among 6-7 and 8-9 year-old boys and girls, were greater in girls than in boys at 10-11 years and showed a small, non-significant secular decline in boys and girls 12-14 years. Secular change in the BMI paralleled those for weight. The prevalence of stunting declined from 1990 to 2007 in both sexes and all age groups except 12-14 year youth. Overweight was more prevalent in girls than boys in both years and increased from 4% to 7% in boys and 9% to 13% in girls. Obesity was not common among boys and girls in each age group and in both years. Stunting and overweight/obesity were not related in either 1990 or 2007.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive secular changes in growth status have occurred in Tarahumara children 6-11 years in contrast to negligible changes among children 12-14 years. The results suggest recent improvements in health and nutrition sufficient to support a positive secular trend in younger children.
Escuela Nacional De Antropologia E Historia, Instituto Nacional De Antropologia E Historia, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
Maria Eugenia
ME
Peña Reyes
Eyra E
EE
Cárdenas Barahona
Paola Stefani
PS
Lamadrid
Margarita
M
Del Olmo Calzada
Robert M
RM
Malina
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D048788:Growth and Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D044382:Population Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D018401:Sample Size; D012574:Schools; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States