Secular trends in the anthropometric characteristics of children in a rural community in Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) from 1986 to 2022 in 3–11 year old children from Dzeal, a rural Maya community in Yucatan, Mexico.Materials and MethodsFrom October‐2022 to February‐2023 (third‐wave survey), we obtained anthropometric measurements of children (n = 80) and family socioeconomic data and compared them with data obtained in 1986 (n = 38) and 2000 (n = 76). Comparisons of anthropometric parameters by sex between years of measurement were performed graphically and through one‐way ANOVA, splitting children into two age groups: 3–7 and 8–11. Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons were used when ANOVAs were statistically significant (p < .05).ResultsIn girls, significant increases in height and weight between surveys were found in 3–7 and 8–11 age groups; in boys, significant increases were only found in the 8–11 age group. Regarding BMI, there were increases in 2022 compared with 1986/2000 in both sexes from 8 years onwards. Differences indicate increases of 3.9 and 4.4 cm per decade in girls aged 3–7 and 8–11, respectively, and increases in weight of 1.1 and 3.3 kg per decade, respectively. Increases in boys 8–11 years were 2.3 cm and 2.4 kg per decade.ConclusionSignificant increases in growth parameters were observed in specific‐age children in the community studied in the context of changes in livelihoods and improvements in household material conditions.