Prevalence and factors associated with stunting and excess weight in children aged 0‐5 years from the Brazilian semi‐arid region

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of excess weight and low height, and identify associated factors among children younger than five years. Methods: Cross‐census study. A total of 1,640 children from two municipalities in Piauí, Brazil were included. Results: The prevalence of low height was 10.9% (95% CI: 9.3 to 12.4), inversely associated with mother's younger age and low level of education, lower socioeconomic status, mothers who had fewer than six prenatal consultations, and households that had more than one child younger than 5 years. Excess weight prevalence was 19.1% (95% CI: 17.2 to 21.0), and remained inversely associated with lower maternal age, low maternal education, and cesarean delivery. Stunting was greater in children aged between 12 and 23 months, while excess weight decreased with age. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that the stunting rate, although decreasing, is still high, while the prevalence of excess weight, even in this very poor area, already exceeds the expected percentage for a population with better socioeconomic level