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BackgroundThe combination in a maternal‐child dyad of an overweight/obese mother and a stunted child has been termed the household‐level dual burden of malnutrition. An important consequence is that a stunted child, more susceptible by short stature to metabolic conditions in later life, is being raised in a proven obesogenic milieu.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of 5–23 month olds in this dyadic relationship in the metropolitan Quetzaltenango area.MethodsAnthropometric measures (weight and length), were collected in 449 mother‐infant dyads, with subsequent classification of infants for stunting (<2 SD of the WHO‐2006 median) and mothers for overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2) or obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2).Results200 (44%) mothers were overweight or obese and 50 (11%) were classified as obese. 172 (37%) children were stunted. Of the 172 children who were stunted, 75 (44%) were living in an environment permissive for adult overweight or higher order body composition abnormality. The combination of stunted children living in an obesogenic milieu comprised 75 (17%) children.ConclusionThe prevalence of stunted child and overweight or obese mother is high relative to other studies. The exposure of stunted children to household obesogenic factors may present hazards for health in later life.Funded by the Nestlé Foundation and Sight and Life, Switzerland

BackgroundThe Guatemalan national prevalence of stunting (chronic undernutrition) in children up to 60 months is 54%, which is the fifth highest in the world. As the stunting process continues out through the third year, stunting rates through 24 mo would expected to be lower.ObjectiveTo describe the rate of stunting in a sample of infants and toddlers recruited in Metropolitan Quetzaltenango.MethodsA total of 300 young children (150 boys), ranging in age from 6 to 23 mo, equalized for months of life, were recruited at 2 public health clinics in metropolitan Quetzaltenango. Recumbent spine length and weight were measured according to standardized procedures and height‐for‐age (HAZ) were calculated. HAZ ≤2 SD of the WHO 2006 Growth Standards was considered stunting.ResultsThe overall mean HAZ‐score was −1.89±1.11 and 135 (45%) children were stunted. Children of women classified of Mayan ascent were significantly (p<0.001) shorter (HAZ‐score −2.20±1.03, and 54% stunted) than others (HAZ‐score −1.71±1.11, and 40% stunted).The age‐specific HAZ‐scores were −1.71±1.13, − 2.07±1.16 and −1.94±0.99 for the 6–11 mo, 12–17 mo and 18–23 mo old age groups, respectively and stunting rates were 36%, 54% and 48%, respectively.ConclusionStunting rates are high, progressing with aging through the first 2 years of life.Funded by Sight and Life, Switzerland