OBJECTIVE: This study of Terena Indian children less than 10 years old was undertaken in order to compare weight and height in 1995 and 2002 and to evaluate anemia prevalence in 2002. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the Limão Verde and Córrego Seco tribes, located in Aquidauana, Mato Gosso do Sul, Brazil. The study enrolled all 253 children who were less than 10 years old in 1995 and 244 who were under 10 in 2002. Their nutritional status was evaluated comparing weight and height with the NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) reference values (Epi-Info version 6.2). Hemoglobin was assayed using a portable photometer. RESULTS: The percentages of children with weight for age deficit (z score < -2 standard deviations) were 4 and 2.9% in 1995 and 2002 respectively. Percentages of weight for height deficits were 3.6 and 0.8% respectively. Percentages of height for age deficits were 15 and 11,1% respectively. The median z scores for weight, age and weight, and height showed a statistically significant increase during the period between 1995 and 2002 in infants. Between 24 and 60 months, there were increments in median z scores for weight for age and height for age. There was no statistically significant decrease in any of the anthropometric indicators, with reference to z scores. The prevalence rates of anemia were 86.1% for infants 6 to 24 months old (n = 43), 50.8% for those 24 to 60 months (n = 65) and 40.7% for children aged 60 to 120 months (n = 59). CONCLUSION: Weight and height both increased during period from 1995 to 2002. Anemia was highly prevalent, calling for immediate corrective measures.
Child Nutrition; anthropometry; anemia; South American Indians
