The Temporal trend in the nutritional status of Indigenous children and pregnant women in Ceará, Brazil (2014–2022)

The lack of updated data on the nutritional status of Indigenous peoples in Brazil hinders the development of effective public policies for vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant women, increasing their risk of malnutrition and food insecurity-related health issues. This study aims to analyze the temporal trend in the nutritional status of Indigenous children and pregnant women living in villages in Ceará, Brazil, using data from SISVAN-I between 2014 and 2022, and to assess the coverage of SISVAN-I during this period. This ecological time series study was grounded on secondary data from SISVAN-I. The analyzed units were the villages in municipalities with Indigenous populations in the assigned area of Ceará. The study covered the period from 2014 to 2022. The analysis focused on weight-for-age and height-for-age indices in children under five and Body Mass Index (BMI) in pregnant women. The temporal trend was analyzed using Prais-Winsten regression models, with the results expressed as Annual Percentage Change (APC). There was a tendency for an increase in overweight (APC = 7.41; CI 95% = 2.07; 13.03) and a significant increase in the annual increment rate for severely stunted children (APC = 11.53; CI 95% = 3.56; 20.10). Regarding pregnant women, the annual obesity rate increased (APC = 8.1; CI 95% = 5.4; 10.8). The weight-for-age and height-for-age indicators reached 91.6% coverage in 2022, and gestational BMI reached 87% in the same year. Indigenous children living in villages in Ceará face nutritional conditions related to an increase in malnutrition and overweight, besides the growing trend of obesity among pregnant women during the study period, which draws attention to a potential food insecurity situation.