Temporal Changes in Nutritional Status, Body Composition and Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Mbyá-Guaraní Children and Adolescents From Misiones, Argentina: A Comparison of Two Cross-Sectional Studies.

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies in Mbyá-guaraní communities from Misiones province, Argentina, documented high levels of childhood undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections. This study aimed to evaluate temporal changes in nutritional status, body composition, and intestinal parasitic infections among Mbyá-guaraní children and adolescents by comparing two cross-sectional studies conducted at different time points.

METHODS

Anthropometric and parasitological data were obtained in two studies (S1: 2005-2007; S2: 2018-2019). A total of 263 children and adolescents aged 3-14 years were included. Nutritional status and body composition were evaluated using NHANES III reference standards. Intestinal parasitic infections were assessed in a subsample of 120 children from both studies using standardized parasitological techniques.

RESULTS

Overall undernutrition was lower in S2 than in S1, mainly due to differences in stunting prevalence (S1: 54.8%; S2: 40.2%; p < 0.05). This difference was also observed among females (S1: 56.6%; S2: 27.3%; p < 0.05). Although the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was lower in S2 than in S1, it remained high in both studies (S1: 93.3%; S2: 85.0%). The prevalences of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, hookworms, and Blastocystis spp. were lower in S2 than in S1, whereas the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis was higher in S1 than in S2 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that linear growth impairment and intestinal parasitic infections remain highly prevalent among children and adolescents from Mbyá-guaraní communities. These results highlight sustained public health actions aimed at reducing stunting and intestinal parasitic infections.