Presenting Author: Natalia Tumas, PhD, Center of Research and Studies on Culture and Society of National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and National University of Córdoba, Argentina

ABSTRACT

Background: Nutrition transition (NT) is the process of broad changes in diet, physical activity patterns, and in turn population nutritional status over the past several decades, linked to rapid growth in urban population. However, the urbanization-TN relation has been scarcely studied in Argentina.

Objectives: To identify NT patterns according to the Argentine provinces’ level of urbanization (2005-2013).

Methods: Multi-group ecological study (24 geographical units). NT indicators (nutritional status, dietary intake and physical activity) were selected from national surveys and census data. A principal component factor analysis (varimax rotation) was carried out to synthesize and identify clustering patterns among NT indicators, by levels of urbanization: provinces with values below or above the population median for the "percentage of households in urban areas (>2000 inhabitants)" indicator.

Results: In the most urbanized provinces group emerged three patterns comparable to advanced stages of NT (predominance of non-communicable diseases): the first factor was characterized by childhood obesity, computer use, frequent salt consumption, and fruit/vegetable intake; the second one by overweight and physical inactivity; and the third one by underweight and stunting in children. In contrast, in the less urbanized provinces group, the first identified pattern (higher factor loadings for under-height in children and unsatisfied basic needs), would be link to an earlier phase of NT (famine remission).

Implications: Urbanization would be considered as a large-scale social determinant of the NT process in Argentina. It is recommendable to integrate urbanization, health and nutrition policies, joining efforts to improve population health outcomes in a growing urbanization context.

Authors: Natalia Tumas, PhD; Graciela Fabiana Scruzzi, MSc; Constanza Rodríguez Junyent, MSc; and Sonia Alejandra Pou, PhD.