Background The indigenous child population in Ecuador has a high prevalence of stunting. There is limited evidence of the association between breastfeeding, feeding practices, and stunting in indigenous children. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and explore their association with stunting in Ecuadorian indigenous children under two years of age. Methods Cross-sectional study of secondary data analysis using the 2012 Ecuador National Health and Nutrition Study, in 625 children aged 0–23 months (48,069 expanded sample), representative for the indigenous population. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding indicators were analyzed by age groups. Timely initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour after birth), exclusive breastfeeding (infants under six months who received only breast milk for the previous day), and other indicators were measured. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and logistic regression for complex samples were used to explore association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and stunting. Results Twenty-six-point eight percent of the children were stunted. Stunting occurred mainly in children with rural residence, on poor households, and where there were four or more children. Most of the children had a timely initiation of breastfeeding (69.5% for 0–12 months and 75.5% for 13–23 months) and exclusive breastfeeding up to six months (78.2%). Among children between 6–12 months of age, 99.3% continued to be breastfed. In children from ages 6 to 12 months, 32.5% received food with adequate dietary diversity. Lower percentages of complementary feeding occurred in the poorest, adolescent mothers or those with less education. Children who did not receive the minimum frequency of meals for their age had higher odds of stunting (OR 3.28; 95% CI 1.3, 8.27). Children from age 19 to 23 months who consumed foods rich in iron showed lower probabilities of stunting (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00, 0.51). Conclusions Breastfeeding practices reached a prevalence of 70% or more, without being associated with stunting. Complementary feeding practices showed differences by socioeconomic condition. Not reaching the minimum meal frequency between 6 and 12 months of age was associated with stunting. Plans and strategies are necessary to promote adequate feeding and breastfeeding practices in the indigenous population.

A total of 35 homozygous and 1320 heterozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was screened for the presence of six low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene mutations previously reported among French‐Canadians. The geographic distribution of patients' birthplaces and the relative prevalence of these six mutations in the LDLR gene in the province of Quebec were compared. For this purpose, the 16 administrative regions of the province of Quebec were grouped into seven geographic regions. The relative frequency of the six mutations differed in the seven regions: the > 15 kb deletion (& Delta; >15 kb) had the highest relative frequency in the Bas St‐Laurent/Gaspésie region, and the point mutation in exon 3 had the highest relative frequency in the Saguenay‐Lac‐St‐Jean/Cǒte‐Nord region. In the Montreal area, the Δ >15 kb and the mutation in exon 3 had prevalence rates of 71.2% and 13.0%, respectively, whereas the relative frequencies of the Δ > 15 kb and the point mutation in exon 3 in the Quebec city region were 57.5 and 21.8%, respectively. Finally, in Saguenay‐Lac‐St‐Jean/Cǒte‐Nord, the relative frequency of the Δ > 15 kb only reached 31.5% and the point mutation in exon 3, 59.2%. Thus, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, the prevalence of the Δ > 15 kb decreases from west to north‐east, whereas the relative frequency of the mutation in exon 3 appears to increase. These observations provide a better characterization of FH among French‐Canadians of Quebec, a Canadian province with a high prevalence of this inherited disease.

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Objectives Chronic malnutrition and anemia are prevalent in developing countries. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and anemia and their associated factors in children under five using a multi-causal model in a rural community in the coast of Ecuador. Methods The study included 314 children under 5 years old who were residents of San Isidro, Ecuador. Indicators of chronic malnutrition and anemia were identified. Mothers/caregivers were surveyed on socioeconomic and environmental conditions, feeding and care practices, access to health services and biological characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression were performed. Results The prevalence was 12.42% (n = 39) for chronic malnutrition and 16.98% (n = 54) for anemia. There was a significant and independent association between chronic malnutrition and family income less than $80 USD per month (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.74, 95% CI 1.04, 7.20), maternal height less than 150 cm (PR 3.00, 95% CI 1.69, 5.32) and residence in a household with more than 4 children (PR 3.05, 95% CI 1.48, 6.29). Anemia was 2.57 times higher (95% CI 1.17, 5.65) in children with more than two episodes of diarrhea in the last 6 months. Prenatal care (5 to 8 visits) provided a protective effect for anemia (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27, 0.89). Conclusions for Practice Findings support the need for comprehensive interventions targeted toward chronic malnutrition and anemia in children from rural coastal communities. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions, family planning, prenatal care and reduction of diarrheal diseases should be prioritized.