Abstract
Obesity may be masking other health problems such as height deficit, or stunting. Stunting may reflect the cumulative effect
of chronic malnutrition especially in underserved immigrant communities. Exploratory analysis of a sample of children 2–19 years
old from the 2007–2008 NHANES was used to assess the relationship between chronic malnutrition and overweight/obesity in Hispanic
children. Overall, overweight/obesity prevalence was nearly 1 in 3 children and stunting prevalence was 3.1%. The prevalence
of stunting varied significantly across race/ethnicity, with prevalence among Hispanics of 6.6%. Prevalence of stunting varied
significantly by socio-economic characteristics within the Hispanic population. Our exploratory study showed differences in
the prevalence of stunting across racial/ethnic groups and highlighted that overweight/obese Hispanic children have a higher
prevalence of stunting compared with Non-Hispanic White overweight/obese children. More studies are needed to better understand
the phenomenon and the implications for health inequities.
of chronic malnutrition especially in underserved immigrant communities. Exploratory analysis of a sample of children 2–19 years
old from the 2007–2008 NHANES was used to assess the relationship between chronic malnutrition and overweight/obesity in Hispanic
children. Overall, overweight/obesity prevalence was nearly 1 in 3 children and stunting prevalence was 3.1%. The prevalence
of stunting varied significantly across race/ethnicity, with prevalence among Hispanics of 6.6%. Prevalence of stunting varied
significantly by socio-economic characteristics within the Hispanic population. Our exploratory study showed differences in
the prevalence of stunting across racial/ethnic groups and highlighted that overweight/obese Hispanic children have a higher
prevalence of stunting compared with Non-Hispanic White overweight/obese children. More studies are needed to better understand
the phenomenon and the implications for health inequities.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9464-7
- Authors
- Celia Iriart, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Master of Public Health Program and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy, MSC09 5060, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
- Alexis J. Handal, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Master of Public Health Program, MSC09 5060, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
- Blake Boursaw, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy, MSC05 3400, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Gabriela Rodrigues, Master of Public Health Program, MSC09 5060, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912