MALNUTRITION PREVALENCE IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD IN TABASCO, MEXICO

Objective. To evaluate malnutrition prevalence in children under five years-old in Tabasco, Mexico, during 1996, and their evolution in 1991 -1996. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study, including 1 256 children under five years-old in 593 communities (31 urban and 562 rur al) from 17 sanitary districts. Results. The weight/age indicator for malnutrition in children under five years old showed 59% of children h ad normal nutrition and 41% with malnutrition, distributed as follows: 26.12% slight, 12.62% moderate and 2.39% severe. In children between 1-5 years old, malnutrition prevalence was 45%. Conclusions. The numbe r of children with malnutrition in Tabasco during the study period (19 91-1996) has decreased in proportion to the increase of those with nor mal nutrition. Based on the health system activities, the number of he alth districts with critical malnutrition indicators decreased from 6 to 4.