Body composition and nutritional status of school-aged Haitian children living in urban and peri-urban areas of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Abstract

This study examines body composition and nutritional status of Haitian children and adolescents living in urban and peri-urban communities in the Dominican Republic to provide estimates of stunting, underweight, overweight, and obesity for this under-researched population. Anthropometric measures including height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thicknesses (triceps and subscapular) were obtained for Kreyòl-speaking school-aged children (n =105, males=51, females=54, ages 4-17). Z-scores for height, body mass index (BMI), and upper arm muscle area by height were used to classify children's nutritional status. Variation among sex and age groups was assessed. Relatively low rates of stunting (4.8%) and thinness (2.9%) were identified. The total prevalence of overweight was 5.7% and 2.9% of children were classified as having obesity. Girls had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity and risk of overweight (16.7%) than boys (3.9%, p=.033). The prevalence of overweight and obesity (8.6%) suggests that Haitian children in these urban and peri-urban communities are experiencing the nutrition transition. Interventions should address the development of excess weight, especially among girls, as well as persisting undernutrition and stunting.