[An epidemiological index to assess the nutritional status of children based in a polynomial model of values from Z punctuation for the age in Mexico]. / Indice epidemiológico de nutrición infantil basado en un modelo polinomial de los valores de puntuación Z del peso para la edad.

A nutritional status index was built by modeling the mathematical function of the mean Z scores of weight for age, from 60,079 children under five years of age, selected in a probabilistic fashion from the Mexican population. The most precise mathematical model was a fifth degree polynomial. The correlation coefficient was between .937

Indice epidemiológico de nutrición infantil basado en un modelo polinomial de los valores de puntuación Z del peso para la edad / An epidemiological index to assess the nutritional status of children under five years of age

Se propone un índice que modeliza la función matemática de los promedios de la puntuación Z del peso para la edad de 60,079 niños menores de 5 años de la República Mexicana obtenidos a partir de muestras probabilísticas. El modelo matemático de mayor precisión fue un polinomio de quinto grado. El coeficiente de correlación se ubicó en el intervalo 937

El subsidio a la tortilla en México: un programa nutricional o económico? / The tortilla subsidy in Mexico: a nutritional or economic program?

To evaluate the impact of the tortilla subsidy on the family food consumption, on its economy and on the nutritional condition of women and under five children, from three marginal zones, with the purpose of focus nutritional interventions. Fifty families were randomly selected in each one of three similar low income sectors of the Oaxaca city. One received subsidy, other has never received it and the third received it five years ago but not at present. Anthropometry was performed in all women of reproductive age and children under five years old. In the first BMI was the indicator used and in children weight for age with two standard deviations was the cut-off point. The tortilla represents between 13.6 per cent to 20 per cent of the family expenditure. Anyhow the energy, protein and some nutrient consumption was higher. The malnutrition index was better in the subsidy community as 12.0 per cent of under five children were low weight for age against 19.2 per cent in the other two communities. The tortilla family expenditure represents 45 per cent of their income and the subsidy reduces it 9 per cent, surely this help a better nutrient consumption and improves the nutritional condition of the poor and marginated urban sectors of the society.

[Child malnutrition in the Mexican rural setting]. / La desnutrición infantil en el medio rural mexicano.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status of the infantile population in rural Mexico, compare it with previous data and situate the most affected areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 38,232 families, from 855 randomly selected communities. Anthropometry was obtained from 31,601 children under five years of age and analysis was performed considering the reference values of weight/age, weight/height and height/age. RESULTS: Overall malnutrition affects 42.7 of children according to weight/age indicator (CI = 1.9%). Moderate and severe malnutrition 22 years ago was 17.4% and now these affect 19.3%. Further data show that 55.9% are malnourished according to height/age, and 18.9% according to weight/height. CONCLUSIONS: The ENAL 96 shows that malnutrition is still a severe national problem which has not improved in the last 22 years. The areas of highest prevalence are the southern states which have mostly Indian population.

[Child malnutrition in the Mexican rural environment: an analysis of national nutrition surveys]. / La desnutrición infantil en el medio rural mexicano: análisis de las encuestas nacionales de alimentación.

The national food surveys of 1974, 1979 and 1989 were analysed in order to evaluate the levels and tendencies of the malnutrition prevalence in children one to five years old. The malnutrition prevalence maintained its level with minor changes: it increased from 49 to 53 per cent in the group with -1 SD, and from 17 to 19 per cent in those with -2 SD, in relation with the WHO [correction of OMS]-NCHS standards. If the information is analysed by social sectors, it is possible to conclude that the apparent stability is due to a process of nutritional polarization: the areas that had lower figures improved as the poor and Indian areas with high prevalence of initial malnutrition deteriorated even more.