Incidence Of Malnutrition In Children Under Five Years Of Age Related To Growth Curves. San Simón Parish

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence and severity of malnutrition in children under 5 years old in the Parish of San Simón, Guaranda canton, Ecuador, from October 2023 to February 2024, using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth curves as a reference. A quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive design was employed. The studied population included 65 children, without establishing a representative sample. Sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional status were analyzed using the z-scores of the WHO growth curves. The results revealed a chronic malnutrition prevalence of 30.77%, global malnutrition of 4.62%, and a combined prevalence of overweight and obesity of 10.77%. A higher proportion of boys with stunted growth compared to girls was observed. Additionally, the coexistence of problems of both deficit and excess weight in the studied population was evidenced. These findings highlight the importance of implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies for malnutrition, as well as addressing overweight and obesity, considering the community's particularities and promoting healthy eating habits and appropriate physical activity.