Peer-reviewed article

Nutritional assessment in relation to breastfeeding and current protein intake in schoolchildren from indigenous communities of Ecuador.

Agustina Soledad Benítez Rodríguez, Eloísa Miqueiro Rossido, Clara de Las Mercedes Mayorga Mazón, Marcela Esther Guerendiain Margni · 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Stunting is highly prevalent in indigenous communities and may be associated with nutritional deficits; however, scientific evidence is limited. Thus, we studied the nutritional status of indigenous schoolchildren from Licán, Riobamba, Ecuador, and its relationship to breastfeeding history and current protein intake. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study including 81 children (5-9 years) was conducted. Nutritional status (weight, height and body mass index (BMI); assessed using Anthro Plus software), exclusive breastfeeding duration and weaning age (applying a questionnaire), and daily protein intake (analyzing the amount of food and preparations consumed; 24-hour recall) were evaluated. RESULTS: 23.5% of the schoolchildren presented stunting, and 18.5% had excess weight. Children exclusively breastfed for 7-11 months had a greater height (117.0 ± 0.61m versus 114.9 ± 0.72m, P = 0.047) and height/age Z-score (-0.8 ± 1.1 versus -1.5 ± 0.9, P = 0.039) than those breastfed for ≥12mo. Weaning age had a direct relation to weight (r = 0.247, P = 0.027) and BMI (r = 0.308, P = 0.005). Both BMI [16.96kg/m2 (tercile 3, T3) versus 15.42kg/m2 (T1), P = 0.035] and BMI/age Z-score [0.69 (T3) versus -0.20 (T1), P = 0.041] were greater in children weaned at ≥19mo. An indirect relation was found between daily protein intake per body weight and height (r = -0.315, P = 0.004), and BMI (r = -0.322, P = 0.003). Children with stunting consumed greater amounts of protein/kg/day [χ2(2) = 6.739, P = 0.034; t-test: 2.6 ± 0.7 versus 2.02 ± 0.84g/kg/day, P = 0.038], while their BMI and BMI/age Z-score were lower (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding history and current protein intake of schoolchildren from Lican indigenous communities were associated with nutritional status; however, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.