Prevalence and factors associated to malnutrition and excess weight among under five year-olds in the six largest cities of Maranhão Prevalência e fatores associados à desnutrição e ao excesso de peso em menores de cinco anos nos seis maiores municípios do Maranhão

Abstract Prevalences of malnutrition and overweight among children under five years and its as -sociation with socioeconomic, demographic and health indicators were estimated for the six largest municipalities of Maranhao, in 2006/2007. By means of a household survey, a sample of 1214 children under five years of age was randomly selected. Two-stage cluster sampling was used, representing the six municipalities of Maranhao with over one hundred thousand inhabitants. Standardized questionnaire was adminis-tered to mothers or guardians and trained personnel measured weight and height or length. For classification of malnutrition cutoff points of +2 z score, following World Health Organization guidelines. By weight-for-age malnutrition prevalence was 4.5, by length/height-for--age 8.5% were stunted and by the weight--for-length/height 3.9% were malnourished (wasting), while 6.7% were overweight. Children of families headed by women had lower prevalence of malnutrition (preva-lence ratio=0.4). Socioeconomic variables were not associated with malnutrition or overweight. Participation in money transfer programs from the government was not associated with malnutrition or overweight. The prevalence of malnutrition was low, but being overweight was more prevalent than malnutrition. Social inequality was not detected in relation to malnutrition in children under five years of age, suggesting a favorable trend towards greater equity.