American Journal of Human Biology
Volume 29, Issue 1, 2017

Migration and nutritional status of Tarahumara schoolchildren from Chihuahua State (México) (Article)

Benítez-Hernández Z.P. , De la Torre-Díaz M.D.L. , Cervantes-Borunda M. , Hernández-Torres R.P. , Cabañas M.D. , López-Ejeda N. , Marrodán M.D.*
  • a Academic Group for Physical Activity, Education and Health (ref.C-27), Physical Culture Faculty, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31009, Mexico
  • b Academic Group for Physical Activity, Education and Health (ref.C-27), Physical Culture Faculty, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31009, Mexico
  • c Academic Group for Physical Activity, Education and Health (ref.C-27), Physical Culture Faculty, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31009, Mexico
  • d Academic Group for Physical Activity, Education and Health (ref.C-27), Physical Culture Faculty, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31009, Mexico
  • e Research Group EPINUT (ref.920325), Medicine Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
  • f Research Group EPINUT (ref.920325), Medicine Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
  • g Research Group EPINUT (ref.920325), Medicine Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain, Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain

Abstract

Objective: The Tarahumara ethnic group is composed of indigenous people from the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Conditions of isolation and poverty compel them to migrate to the city in search of better opportunities. This work aims to explore the influence of migration on the growth and nutritional status of Tarahumara schoolchildren. Methods: One hundred Tarahumara students were analyzed (50 rural with a mean age of 9.78 ± 1.25 years; 50 urban aged 10.0 ± 1.04 years), comparing anthropometric indicators and body composition (T-Student, U-Mann–Whitney Tests). Results: Twenty percent of rural girls and 35% of rural boys showed stunted growth compared to only 9% of the urban girls (no stunted growth among urban boys). Migrants showed greater body size, skinfold thickness, and fat percentage. Weight excess, understood as an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, was detected in 17.8% of urban boys and 13.6% of urban girls compared to 10.0% of boys and 3.3% of girls of the rural series. Conclusion: Migration reduces stunting and increases adiposity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author Keywords

Nutritional status Migration Children Anthropometry Tarahumara

Index Keywords

urban population body composition Indians, North American human Overweight statistics and numerical data rural population obesity Growth Disorders Mexico American Indian Humans Adolescent growth disorder male female prevalence migration anthropometry Transients and Migrants nutritional status Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84988813654&doi=10.1002%2fajhb.22927&partnerID=40&md5=6b31a4421c708f4ce272d3d6668b0889
DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22927
ISSN: 10420533
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English