Determinación social de la desnutrición y el retardo sicomotor en preescolares de Urabá (Colombia). Un análisis con la Epidemiología Crítica/Social determination of malnutrition and psychomotor retardation in preschool children in Urabá (Colombia). An analysis based on Latin American Social Epidemiology

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the family home life conditions the nutricional status and child development (CD) of pre-school children from Uraba, and to explain the findings according to health-disease determinants from Social Epidemiology. The study used 8 different questionnaires concerning living conditions. Anthropometric indicators calculated using Epinut 6.0 were assessed and the Abbreviated Scale Development was used to evaluate CD. 200 families and 46 children were evaluated, ranging in age from 2.5 to 4 years. Living conditions are highly deficient in individual and family processes, as well as group processes (way of life), and all are determined by the existing socio-economic, legal-political and ideological-cultural systems. The risks of malnutrition, evaluated using -1 and -2 standard deviation, were, respectively: chronic (height/age ratio) 76% and 37%; overall (weight/age) 61% and 17%; and acute (weight/height index) 26% and 0%. The results reveal serious and precocious nutritional and psycho motor impairments, which can be explained by the living conditions of this social group.