Identification of geographical clusters of Nutrition Transition in Argentina and its sociodemographic characterization

RODRÍGUEZ JUNYENT, CONSTANZA; POU, SONIA A.; SCRUZZI, GRACIELA F.; TUMAS, NATALIA

Buenos Aires

Congreso; IUNS 21st International Congress of Nutrition; 2017

International Union of Nutritional Sciences

Background and objectives: Nutritional Transition (NT) isa process that includes changes in populations? nutritional profile,determined by convergent socioeconomic, demographic, environmental,and sociocultural factors. The geographical context and itssociodemographic characteristics emerge as potential underlyingfactors of the populations? epidemiological and nutritional profile.This work proposes to identify the geographical clusters based onthe contribution of NT indicators in Argentina (2005-2013) anddistinguish the sociodemographic scenarios that characterize them.Methods: Multi-group, ecological design (23 provinces andthe Autonomous City of Buenos Aires). A cluster analysis was conductedto identify clusters by proximity among geographical units,based on similarities among NT indicators (nutritional state,physical activity, and food intake), obtained from official sourcesof information: Nationwide Nutrition and Health Surveys (2005),Risk Factors of Non-Transmissible Diseases (2005, 2009, 2013),and Population, Household, and Housing Census 2010. Summarymeasures of these indicators and of sociodemographic variableswere calculated (based on the 2010 census), with the aim of characterizingeach cluster identified. These were incorporated into aGIS (Geographical Information System) to draw up maps usingthe ArcGIS 10.2 softwareResults: Three NT clusters were identified in Argentina: 1)provinces in the Pampas region, Cuyo and part of Patagonia; 2) theAutonomous City of Buenos Aires and the south of Patagonia; 3)the provinces in the northwest and northeast of Argentina. Cluster2 displayed the highest levels of adult (19.99%) and child (11%) obesity,use of computers (71.3%), frequent salt consumption (23.63%)and consumption of at least 5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables(5.28%), while cluster 3 recorded the highest prevalence of lowweight, low height and anemia in children (2.69%, 9.69%, 19.06%;respectively). Physical inactivity, alcohol intake and overweight inadults were similar in the clusters identified. Cluster 3 showed theworst relative situation concerning indicators of socio-economiclevel, health coverage, education, and degree of urbanization.Conclusions: There are geographical clusters in Argentina withspecific nutritional and sociodemographic characteristics. Thismight indicate different NT processes in the interior of the country