Addressing Undernutrition in Latin America's Indigenous Children

Undernutrition is a big health problem for kids around the world. It can be classified into three main types: Stunting, Wasting, and Underweight. Stunting means a child is shorter than expected for their age. Wasting means a child weighs less than they should for their height. Underweight means a child does not weigh enough for their age. Doctors diagnose these conditions by checking measurements against a standard reference for healthy children.

#The Situation in Latin America

Latin American countries have improved in reducing undernutrition in children. In 2020, the rates were low for wasting and underweight, at 1.31% and 2.2% respectively. However, indigenous children face more challenges. They have higher rates of stunting when compared to non-indigenous children. For example, indigenous children in Latin America are 34% more likely to be stunted than their non-indigenous peers. In Chile, the risk for undernutrition is 9% higher for indigenous children. In countries like Colombia, Peru, and rural Mexico, the difference is even larger, with almost double the rates of stunting and underweight.

#Factors Behind Higher Rates

The reasons for these higher rates are not just the numbers themselves, but the factors that contribute to them. Some studies suggest that cultural and social aspects tied to ethnicity can affect the nutrition of children. Public health workers need to recognize where they can make improvements in nutrition for these communities, as the risk factors for indigenous children can differ from those of non-indigenous children.

#Need for More Research

A search in medical databases showed no recent reviews focusing on the differences in risk factors for undernutrition between indigenous and non-indigenous children. There is some existing research that looks at stunting and its relationship with education, wealth, and ethnicity, but this does not fully examine the specific risk factors for different races of children.

Given the increased focus on how these risk factors differ among children, there is a need for a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic. This will help identify gaps in the current knowledge and guide future systematic reviews.

#Objectives of the Research

The main goal of this research is to gather existing information about the differences in risk factors for undernutrition between indigenous and non-indigenous children under five in Latin America. The specific objectives include:

1. Identify Tools for Diagnosis: Find out what tools are used to diagnose undernutrition in both groups of children.

2. Race as an Effect Modifier: Look at how being indigenous affects the risk of undernutrition.

3. Understanding Mechanisms: Explore reasons why indigenous children may be at a higher risk for undernutrition compared to non-indigenous children.

#Review Question

What do we know about the differences in risk factors for undernutrition between indigenous and non-indigenous children under five years old in Latin America and the Caribbean?

#Eligibility Criteria

Studies will be included if they look at either indigenous or non-indigenous children younger than five in Latin American and Caribbean regions. If a study includes both groups, it must provide separate results for indigenous children. The review will consider research that examines risk factors for stunting, wasting, and underweight.

#Types of Sources

This review will consider several types of studies, including:

• Experimental Studies: Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, studies that compare data before and after interventions, and time-series studies.

• Observational Studies: These can be cohort studies (looking at groups over time), case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies.

• Descriptive Studies: These include case series, reports on individual cases, and simple surveys.

• Qualitative Studies: These focus on people's experiences and can include various research designs.

• Systematic Reviews: Previous reviews that meet the inclusion criteria may also be considered.

Additionally, opinions and government reports will be looked at as potential sources of information.

#Search Strategy

To gather relevant studies, the research team will follow a systematic approach. First, a limited search will be done in a database called PubMed to find important keywords and terms. After that, a full strategy will be created and applied to other databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, and SciELO. The team will also look for clinical trials and studies that may not have been published yet.

The third step will involve searching for grey literature, which includes unpublished studies and reports from government sources, as well as searching platforms like Google Scholar. The team will also check the references of the articles they find to locate more studies.

All studies published since 2000 and in different languages will be included in the review.

#Study Selection Process

After collecting the studies, the team will organize them using a software called Zotero, removing any duplicates. Two or more reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts of the studies to ensure they meet the inclusion criteria. Any disagreements will be discussed, and if needed, a third reviewer will step in. The full text of included studies will then be reviewed in detail.

#Data Extraction

Information from the studies will be extracted by two or more independent reviewers using a data extraction tool. This data will include details about participants, the methods used, and main findings related to the research questions.

If necessary, the authors of the studies will be contacted to get more information.

#Data Analysis and Presentation

The results of the review will be presented in a narrative format. Key findings, gaps in knowledge, and recommendations will be shared. Depending on what is found, outcomes may also be summarized in charts or tables to show the main characteristics of the studies included in the review.

#Conclusion

In summary, undernutrition in children is a major health concern, particularly for indigenous children in Latin America. This research aims to better understand the different risk factors and gather information that can help improve the situation for these vulnerable populations. By systematically reviewing the existing literature, public health professionals can gain insights into how to better support these communities and ultimately improve child nutrition.