Is There a Nutritional Transition in the Colombian Population? Evidence from Boys and Girls Aged Five and Less and Reproductive-Age Women from 1986 to 2005 in Colombia

Diana Diaz, Universidad de La Sabana

Nutritional vigilance in Colombia has formerly focused on problems of lack of caloric-proteic nutrition. While malnutrition has been observed and reported, the coexistence of obesity and overweight in vulnerable populations with malnutrition, children under five and women in reproductive age, is not as studied, yet present. This phenomena represents new ways of poverty and challenges for Public Health and Public Policy. Such a study will permit to focus public policy in health and nutrition towards the control of determining factors such as physical inactivity and food habits which lead to an unbalanced diet. It may, as well, generate benefits in terms of diminishing the burden of group II ilnenesses (chronic and non transmissible) in the medium and long range, if a proper organized social response is undertaken and thus National Health resources may be saved. The object of this study is to explore and verify some existing evidence of a nutritional transition in the Colombian population by using anthropometric analysis of boys and girls aged 5 or less and women in reproductive ages using DHS data for 1986 to 2005.