Influence of Emergency Situations on Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Evidence and Policy Implications from Hurricane John in Guerrero, Mexico

Edith Kim-Herrera, Ana Lilia Lozada-Tequeanes, Dinorah González-Castell, Edgar Arturo Chávez-Muñoz, Rocío Alvarado-Casas, Susana Rafalli-Arismendi, Matthias Sachse-Aguilera, Cecilia De Bustos and Anabelle Bonvecchio-Arenas ()
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Edith Kim-Herrera: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
Ana Lilia Lozada-Tequeanes: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
Dinorah González-Castell: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
Edgar Arturo Chávez-Muñoz: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
Rocío Alvarado-Casas: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
Susana Rafalli-Arismendi: Independent Consultant, Avenida Teherán. Urb. Montalbán, Cáritas, Caracas 2042, Venezuela
Matthias Sachse-Aguilera: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) of Mexico, Avenida Paseo de la Reforma 645, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico
Cecilia De Bustos: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) of Mexico, Avenida Paseo de la Reforma 645, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico
Anabelle Bonvecchio-Arenas: Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS), National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH), Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: In emergencies, the maternal and child populations face increased risk of morbidity and mortality, often exacerbated by malnutrition. Breastfeeding, adequate complementary feeding, and appropriate prenatal care can mitigate these risks. This descriptive cross-sectional study compared data collected before and after Hurricane John related to maternal, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and the nutritional status of pregnant women and children under two years of age. Data were collected in December 2024 from the two provinces most affected in Guerrero, Mexico. Surveys were completed for 239 children through caregivers and 76 pregnant women, alongside anthropometric assessments. After the disaster, findings showed a significant decline in breastfeeding among 0–6-month-olds (88.7% to 71.1%) and an increase in dietary diversity in complementary feeding (3.6 ± 2.1 vs. 4.5 ± 1.5 food groups). Malnutrition, based on weight-for-length z-scores, was observed in 4.8% of children aged 0–6 months and 2.6% of those aged 6–24 months. According to mid-upper arm circumference, 8.4% of children aged 0–6 months presented malnutrition. Among pregnant women, based on body mass index, 41.5% had excessive pre-pregnancy weight, while 12.3% were underweight. These findings underscore the urgent need to integrate maternal and child nutrition into emergency preparedness and response strategies to protect vulnerable populations in Mexico.

Keywords: infant feeding; breastfeeding; complementary feeding; pregnancy; nutritional status; emergency; disaster; Mexico (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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