Análisis secular de la malnutrición infantil en entornos rurales (partido de Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Given the lack of studies on changes in the nutritional status of children in rural areas, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and the socio-economic and environmental characteristics of the residence of boys and girls in the district of Magdalena (Buenos Aires), as well as to investigate whether any secular changes have occurred over the last 15 years (2008-2023). To this end, the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition and excess weight) was calculated and compared in two samples of schoolchildren, aged 3-11 years, attending schools in the district of Magdalena. Data collection for sample 1 (n = 321) took place between 2008–2009, and for sample 2 (n = 431) in 2023. Nutritional status was determined according to the World Health Organization cut-off points, and the description of the residential context was based on self-administered and structured surveys that asked about housing characteristics, access to services and health care, educational level, and the employment situation of parents. A decrease in chronic undernutrition (4%) was observed driven by improvements in the socio-economic and environmental characteristics of families. Simultaneously, a positive secular trend in excess weight was observed (an increase of 3% in overweight and 8% in obesity), regardless of the environment. These results place the current child population of Magdalena in a more advanced stage of nutritional transition than the previous one.