Patricia Bustos M

Comparación del estado nutricional entre escolares indígenas y no indígenas

Background: The few studies in Chile assessing the nutritional status of indigenous children show a high prevalence of stunting, excess weight and feeding problems. Aim: to compare anthropometric indices in children from indigenous and non indigenous ancestry. Subjects and methods: school children aged 6 to 8 years old, living in locations with three clear cut levels of social vulnerability were studied. Children were considered indigenous if their last names, as well as those of their parents were of Mapuche origin. Non indigenous were those whose last names were of Spanish origin. Results: four hundred and fifty indigenous and 684 non indigenous children were studied. Indigenous children from high vulnerability communities were approximately 0.5 z score shorter than those of non indigenous origin. Heights of indigenous and non indigenous children were similar in communities with intermediate and low social vulnerability. The proportion of the lower segment followed the same trend. Weight/height ratios were higher among indigenous children in the three vulnerability levels. Among indigenous children coming from areas of low vulnerability arm circumference was 1 cm broader than that of their non indigenous counterparts. Conclusions: stunting is prevalent among school children from areas of high socioeconomic vulnerability, mainly rural, and independent from ethnicity. Among indigenous school children overweight and a broader arm circumference are frequent. These results urgently call for located and specific nutrition interventions

Etnia mapuche y condiciones socioeconómicas en la estatura del adulto

Background: Studies in Chilean adults of low socioeconomic level suggest that their low height is likely to be due to their indigenous background. However this group also has been marginalized from socioeconomic development. Aim: To determine the influence of Mapuche ethnic origin and socioeconomic factors on the height of adults. Subjects and methods: In a cross sectional design, the height of 1,293 adults (528 males and 765 females) of Mapuche and non Mapuche origin were studied in the Araucania Region (Southern Chile) and in the Metropolitan Region (Central Chile). Subjects with Mapuche surnames were considered as pertaining to this ethnic community and those with Spanish surnames were considered as non Mapuche. Linear regression models were done, stratifying by sex, considering ethnic origin, to live in counties of different social vulnerability, and the level of family poverty. Results: Among males, the mean height was 166.6±7.3 cm and among females, the figure was 153.6±5.9 cm. Mapuche subjects were significantly shorter: ‐3.2 cm (95% Confidence Interval (CI) ‐4.0 to ‐2.3) among females and ‐4.8 cm (CI ‐6.0 to ‐3.6) among males (non adjusted models). This deficit increased to ‐4.5 and ‐7.6 cm among females and males, respectively when they lived in poverty and in areas with highest social vulnerability. These differences decreased significantly if Mapuche subjects lived in communities with low social vulnerability and less poverty (‐0.59 and ‐1.14 cm among females and males respectively). Conclusions: The studied population had low height, being lower in Mapuche subjects. The differences decreased among subjects living in counties of less vulnerability and less family poverty (Rev Med Chile 2005; 133: 461-8).

Cambio secular de las variables antropométricas al nacer: una perspectiva local

Background: Anthropometrical measurements at birth are the result of the conditions during pregnancy, being an issue of current interest due to the reported relationship of birth weight with non communicable chronic diseases in adulthood. Aim: To study the change in anthropometrical measurements at birth, between the period 1974-1978 and the period 1995-1999, in two counties of Valparaiso, Chile. Material and methods: We collected information from the public health care system in a universe of 5,018 newborns of the two periods. Results: When compared to 1974-1978, the period 1995-1999, showed 38% decrease in the number of deliveries, 0.7% decrease in parity, 1.4% decrease in pre-term deliveries and one year increase of mothers age. Likewise birth weight increased by 246 g in males and 210 g in females (p <0.01). Birth length increased by 0.5 cm in males and 0.4 cm in females (p <0.01). Low birth weight was reduced from 9 to 4.2% and length under -2 standard deviations from normal, also decreased from 5.4 to 1.5% (p <0.001). Conclusions: In the last 20 years, an improvement in anthropometrical measurements at birth was observed. Better conditions during pregnancy probably explain these changes (Rev Med Chile 2002; 130: 1095-1100)

Factores asociados al exceso de peso durante el primer año de vida

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los factores asociados al exceso de peso a los 12 meses en un Consultorio de Punta Arenas. Pacientes y Metodos: Los datos se obtuvieron de la historia de 93 ninos y sus madres: embarazo, parto, nacimiento, antropometria y alimentacion en el primer ano de vida. Resultados: La prevalencia de sobrepeso a los 12 meses fue 20,2% y de obesidad 9%. Los analisis multivariados mostraron que el exceso de peso a los 6 meses, Odds Ratio (OR): 9,08 Intervalo de confianza (IC): 2,69-30,67, el exceso de peso de la madre al final del embarazo (OR: 5,91 IC: 1,05-33,42), ser madre adolescente (OR: 11,59 IC: 1,27-105,46) fueron las variables que se asociaron al exceso de peso a los 12 meses (P/T ³ 1). Hubo una interaccion observandose que ser madre adulta y tener exceso de peso al final del embarazo constituye un factor de riesgo (OR: 5,44), mientras que ser madre adolescente y tener exceso de peso al final del embarazo es un factor protector (OR: 0,007). Conclusiones: Existe alta prevalencia de exceso de peso al ano de vida en la poblacion estudiada. Algunos de los factores asociados se pueden prevenir desde el periodo pregestacional

Tratamiento de la constipación crónica del lactante con avena machacada y harina de avena

The effect of crushed oat and oat flour added to milk feedings was evaluated on management of infantsconstipation. Ninety two infants with persistent constipation were selected (mean age 6-6 ± 1.8 month] ana divided inthree groups whose milk feedings were respectively given supplements of crushed oat, oar flour or no supplement(controls! in addition to the ususal dietary indications for constipation treatment. The effect was evaluated by means ofc recall of mothers opinion at 7 and 14 days after beginning of treatment and daily written records on number andhardness of infanls stools. Increased frequency of evacuation and decreased hardness of the stools was observed withboth products. These trends were statistically significant, particularly at the second week of treatment. Tolerance andacceptance were good for both products. Cnenical composition and energy content of crushed oa! and oat flour weresimilar fa those of other cereals used in infants feeding. Administration of tnese products for longer time periods couldprobably result in improved effect.(Key words cons:ipation, cereals, oat, diet fiber, food, formulated.)