Resumen

CANDELA, Yngrid. Malnutrition in children beneficiaries of community food and nutrition programs. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2020, vol.33, n.2, pp.123-132.  Epub 13-Oct-2021. ISSN 0798-0752.

In the context of the complex emergency in Venezuela, food security and nutrition have been damaged, particularly in the vulnerable people, including children. This article presents information about the nutritional status of 1851 children beneficiaries of food assistance and nutritional care projects in 20 community centers in five state of Venezuela. Body weight and size were measured to construct indicators on weight/length in children under five, and body mass number (BMI)/age in children over five, and size or length/age as well in both groups. The anthropometric categories allowed to calculate the acute malnutrition (GAM), the thinness and growth retardation, the overweight, and obesity; taking into account the OMS's metrics. The GAM and chronic malnutrition in children under five were in level "poor" (5% and 29% respectively) under the OMS's standards. The most affected group by GAM was children under two (8%). In the children over the age of five, the thinness was higher than GAM (10%) and the growth retardation was 25%. The vulnerability according to weight/length was 16%, according to BMI/age was 33%, and according to stature/age, it exceeded 50% in all age groups. The vulnerability level is higher in the children under two and between the ages of 11 and 15. Measures oriented to the attention of the most affected groups is required, and also in the groups with a risk of malnutrition. A great political commitment is necessary to promote the right to food as a priority sector in front of the emergency.

Palabras clave : Malnutrition; children; community; Venezuela.

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