Carlos Larrea|Wilma B. Freire
Social inequality and child malnutrition in four Andean countries
Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales|World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas
analyze effects socioeconomic regional ethnic conditions chronic malnutrition four andean countries south america bolivia colombia ecuador peruthe study based demographic health surveys dhs colombia 1995 peru 1996 bolivia 1997 living standard measurement survey ecuador 1998 developed index household socioeconomic status using categorical principal components analysis broke prevalence stunting socioeconomic status ses ethnicity place residence large cities small cities towns countryside region highland region versus areas country applied smoothed regression curves linear functions analyze ses effects stunting specific models bolivia ecuador perubolivia ecuador peru similar characteristics high stunting prevalences overall higher stunting prevalences highland areas particularly among indigenous populations strong socioeconomic disparities colombia contrast lower stunting prevalence smaller regional disparities socioeconomic gradient stunting strong four countries prevalence rates poorest deciles least three times high top decilethe sharp contrast conditions found bolivia ecuador peru colombia may result specific ethnic factors affecting indigenous groups particular diet profile highland areas low protein micronutrient intake differences longterm economic social development paths countries taken along strong socioeconomic gradient countries weight ethnic regional factors suggests need reduce inequality well comprehensively improve education housing better target health nutrition programs implement participatory programs integrated indigenous cultures