The impact of malnutrition and public health in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge impacting populations globally, especially in low-and middle-income countries, comprising Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis studied the impact of Malnutrition and public health especially the vulnerable populations in LAC. Method: Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, HINARI, Scielo, PubMed, and Scopus were searched on the impact of public health in LAC using appropriate search terms and combined keywords. The retrieved studies were uploaded and organized using Rayyan@ systematic review software. Result: Six hundred and twenty studies were identified and screened, and 29 were included in the final review as meeting the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that in Brazil, males exhibited consistently higher stunting odds (odds ratio = 1.19), while wasting risk was marginally lower in females (risk ratio = 0.79), though skewed by a 2017 data anomaly. Regional analysis revealed divergent trends: Guatemala and Bolivia showed elevated child malnutrition, whereas Brazil and Ecuador reported higher rates among adolescent females. Extreme heterogeneity underscored contextual variability, emphasizing the need for localized interventions and data quality improvements to address these public health challenges. Conclusion: The prevalence of stunting and wasting, with disparities were observed between genders and age groups. Also, socioeconomic factors emerged as critical determinants of malnutrition outcomes, with lower wealth and education levels correlating with higher rates of undernutrition. Maternal education and autonomy were identified as key influencers of child nutritional status, emphasizing the importance of empowering women in healthcare decision-making. Effective malnutrition interventions demand a multifaceted approach, encompassing tailored strategies for vulnerable groups, strengthened healthcare systems, and evidence-based practices.