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

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies in Mbyá-guaranícommunities from Misiones province, Argentina, documented high levels ofchildhood undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections. This study aimed to evaluate temporal changes in nutritional status,body composition, and intestinal parasitic infections among Mbyá-guaraníchildren and adolescents by comparing two cross-sectionalstudies conducted at different time points.Methods: Anthropometric and parasitological data were obtained in two studies (S1: 2005–2007; S2: 2018–2019). A total of263 children and adolescents aged 3–14 years were included. Nutritional status and body composition were evaluated usingNHANES III reference standards. Intestinal parasitic infections were assessed in a subsample of 120 children from both studiesusing 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 prevalenceof intestinal parasitic infections was lower in S2 than in S1, it remained high in both studies (S1: 93.3%; S2: 85.0%). Theprevalences of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, hookworms, and Blastocystis spp. were lower in S2 than in S1, whereas theprevalence 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 prevalentamong children and adolescents from Mbyá-guaranícommunities. These results highlight sustained public health actions aimedat reducing stunting and intestinal parasitic infections.