RESUMO
The prevalence of malnutrition among under-5-year-olds in Brazil fell by more than 60% between 1975 and 1989. The benefits were smaller for population strata that were more affected by malnutrition in the 1970s, i.e., children from the North and North-east regions and those from poor families in general. Regional and socioeconomic differentials in the prevalence of malnutrition therefore increased between 1975 and 1989. Trends in family income indicate extraordinary economic gains in the 1970s, some losses in the 1980s, and a modest net gain over the period 1975-89. The availability of sanitation, health, and education services, and the provision of preschool supplementary feeding programmes increased markedly in the 1970s and 1980s. Demographic trends were also positive, reducing the demand for services and programmes, increasing the economic efficiency of families, and concentrating the population in urban areas, where incomes, job opportunities, and social and material infrastructures are better. The observed nutritional improvement was therefore probably due to a moderate increase in family income associated with a substantial expansion in the provision of services and programmes, both of which were facilitated by favourable demographic trends. Also, the nutritional improvement was probably concentrated during the 1970s, while little, if any, occurred after 1980; prospects for the 1990s point to a stagnant situation. This is a reason for great concern particularly in the North and North-east regions of the country, where high rates of child malnutrition are still found.
PIP: Nutritionists used 2 surveys (1975 and 1989) to determine the trends in the nutritional status of children 5 years old in Brazil. Malnutrition rates fell by 61.4% between 1975 and 1989 (18.4% vs. 7.1%). Improvements in child nutrition occurred countrywide, but they were less in the North and the Northeast (56.7% and 52.6% respectively) than in the other regions (69.2%-78.6%). In fact, the gap between these regions and the other regions was wider in 1989 than it was in 1975 (e.g., prevalence ratio between the Northeast and the South, 2.5 in 1975 and 5 in 1989). In the Southeast and the South, nutrition improvement occurred basically equally for rural and urban children, but the percentage of rural malnourished children was still higher than it was for urban malnourished children (6.2% vs. 3.7% and 3% vs. 2.1% respectively). In the Northeast, rural children suffered more relative excess malnutrition in 1989 than they did in 1975. A sizable reduction in childhood malnutrition prevalence rates occurred in all 4 income groups, but the poorest children benefited the least (55.6% vs. 77% for the richest group). Since children most affected by malnutrition in the 1970s (i.e., children from the North and Northeast and the poor) gained the least, regional and socioeconomic differences in the prevalence of malnutrition expanded between 1975 and 1989. Modest increases in income linked to considerable expansion of sanitation, health, and education services and of preschool supplementary feeding programs were most likely responsible for nutritional improvement. In addition, fertility rates fell (5.8-3) during this period. Improvement was largely restricted to the 1970s, however. After 1980, little or no improvement occurred. Little hope for economic recovery, continued economic inequalities, and reduced spending on social programs indicated a stagnant situation for the 1990s.
Assuntos
Transtornos da Nutrição do Lactente/epidemiologia , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Estado Nutricional , Brasil/epidemiologia , Pré-Escolar , Demografia , Serviços de Alimentação , Humanos , Renda , LactenteRESUMO
Three national anthropometric surveys carried out in Colombia in 1965-1966, 1977-1980, and 1986-1989 provide a reasonably standardized basis for comparing the nutritional status of infants and young children in those years. That comparison, presented here together with appropriate socioeconomic data, indicates marked reduction of malnutrition paralleling strong socioeconomic gains.
PIP: Researchers analyzed data from 3 countrywide health surveys (1965-1966, 1977-1980, and 1986-1989) in Colombia to examine the nutritional status of infants and young children in those years. They also compared these trends in nutritional status with those of socioeconomic development. In 1965-1966, the prevalence of overall childhood malnutrition stood at 21.1% and of stunting at 31.9%. Wasting was 3.9%, mainly affecting 6-23 month old children. Overall malnutrition and stunting fell to 16.8% (20% reduction) and 22.4% (30% reduction) respectively by 1977-1980. Yet wasting rose to 4.9% between the 2 surveys. By 1986-1989, overall malnutrition, stunting, and wasting decreased to 10.1%, 16.6%, and 2.9% respectively. Despite the improvements in overall malnutrition, children 2 years old remained at highest risk of malnutrition, especially protein energy malnutrition. In the 1960s and 1970s, the economy grew evenly with simultaneous public investment in the social sector and the nation's infrastructure. It even grew somewhat in the 1980s. During this period, the country transformed from a predominantly agricultural society to an urban residents and 76% of rural residents) had access to potable water. Further, in 1990, 99% of urban households had electricity, 95% a piped water supply, and 89% a sewerage system. These corresponding figures for rural households were 71%, 43%, and 17%. Besides, in this time period, Colombia improved its initial unequal distribution of income. For example, between 1971-1978, poverty fell 2.9%/year. Moreover Colombia experienced a rapid demographic transition with considerable declines in fertility and population growth. 1 reason for this transition was increased education for women and access to jobs. Further improvements in health care and access to it have also occurred.