Work

Nutritional status, body indices, and somatotype in Aymara and Quechua children from high Andean areas of Peru

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Infants born at high altitudes, such as in the Puno region, typically exhibit higher birthweights than those born at low altitudes; however, the influence of ethnicity on childhood anthropometric patterns in high-altitude settings remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterise the nutritional status, body composition and indices, and somatotype of Quechua and Aymara children aged 6–10 years. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative design was employed, with a simple random sampling of children from six provinces representative of the Puno region, including 1,289 children of both sexes. Twenty-nine anthropometric measurements were taken, and fat, muscle, and bone components were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Standardised equations were applied to determine body indices. Among the findings, most children presented normal nutritional status according to BMI-for-age and height-for-age Z -scores. However, high rates of overweight and obesity were observed in Aymara (39%) and Quechua (28.4%) children, with differences in fat content between ethnic groups at the 5th, 10th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. Both groups were characterised by brachytypy and brachybrachial proportions; Quechua children were mesoskelic and Aymara brachyskelic, with macrocormic proportions, rectangular trunks, and broad backs. The predominant somatotype was mesomorphic, with a stronger endomorphic tendency among Aymara. It is concluded that both groups exhibit normal nutritional status; however, Aymara children show a greater tendency towards fat accumulation and notable morphological differences. Differences were also observed in limb proportions, particularly a relatively shorter lower limb.

Source: Journal of Nutritional Science

DOI: 10.1017/jns.2025.10026

Authors: Lidia Sofia Caballero Gutiérrez, Rodolfo Adrian Núñez Postigo, Juber Chávez Dominguez, Vilma Lucrecia Tapia Aguirre, José Oscar Alberto Begazo Miranda

Institutions: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Language: English

Topic: Indigenous Health and Education

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600