Nutritional Status and Food Insecurity in Migrant Populations at the Mexico–Guatemala Border: A Case Study in Tenosique, Tabasco

Nutritional Status and Food Insecurity in Migrant Populations at the Mexico–Guatemala Border: A Case Study in Tenosique, Tabasco | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Nutritional Status and Food Insecurity in Migrant Populations at the Mexico–Guatemala Border: A Case Study in Tenosique, Tabasco Berty Jhoann García-Leiva, Juan Carlos Galvez-Layna, Sergio Quiroz-Gomez, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective: To analyze food insecurity and malnutrition among migrants in transit through the Mexico-Guatemala border. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from February to June 2024 in Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico, using a sample of 366 migrants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via structured surveys addressing sociodemographic characteristics. Food insecurity was assessed using the FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale, and nutrional status was determined by the weight-to-ideal weight ratio for malnutrition classification. Results: The majority of participants were male (67.5%) with a mean age of 32 years. Severe food insecurity was observed in 80.1% of the migrants, while only 3.3% experienced mild food insecurity. Regarding nutritional status, 21% of the participants were classified as having normal weight, and 20.2% as overweight. Obesity was also prevalent, with 17.8% categorized as grade I, 10.4% as grade II, and 11.7% as grade III. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of migrants experienced severe food insecurity, yet a significant number exhibited normal or elevated body weight. These findings underscore the complex relationship between food insecurity and dietary transitions in migratory contexts and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve both food access and nutritional outcomes among vulnerable populations. Food Rationing Undernourishment Diaspora migration New Contribution to the Literature By establishing a robust foundation for future research, this study provides actionable data and methodological insights that can drive innovative interventions and policy frameworks. Strengthening food and nutrition surveillance systems in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is imperative to addressing these challenges. A real-time, adaptive surveillance model tailored to mobile populations could revolutionize public health strategies, ensuring that humanitarian efforts and policy responses align with the lived realities of migrants. This research challenges traditional narratives and proposes a data-driven approach that is not only crucial for academic inquiry but also instrumental in shaping international policies on migration, food security, and public health. The integration of interdisciplinary methodologies and cross-sectoral collaborations will be essential in mitigating food insecurity and improving health outcomes for migrant populations worldwide. Theoretical Framework This study is grounded in the Social Determinants of Health paradigm and the “syndemic” framework that conceptualises FI, forced migration and malnutrition as mutually reinforcing processes. From January to November 2023, Mexico reported 686,732 irregular migrants, a significant proportion of whom were either seeking refuge in the country or using it as a transit point to the United States (USA) [ 1 , 2 ]. Food insecurity (FI) is a critical challenge for this population, with many experiencing severe food deprivation during their journey [ 3 , 4 ]. In the state of Tabasco, 236,808 migrants were recorded during this period, yet only 10% were accommodated in shelters. As a key entry point into Mexico, Tabasco shares a 111-kilometer border with Guatemala, making it a primary corridor for Central and South American migrants. Many follow the Tabasco-Veracruz-Tamaulipas route, the shortest path to the USA. Within this region, the municipality of Tenosique has been identified as a strategic migration hub, with seven known entry points facilitating irregular transit [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]. Migrants endure precarious conditions during their journey, including prolonged travel periods, inadequate shelter, and limited food access, compounded by environmental and psychosocial stressors. These conditions not only increase their vulnerability to acute illnesses but also restrict their access to medical care [ 1 , 7 – 9 ]. Despite the presence of humanitarian programs and foundations aimed at addressing these needs, the scale of migration far exceeds available resources. The lack of adequate shelter leaves most migrants without a secure place to stay and, more critically, without reliable access to food. Moreover, there is a notable scarcity of empirical data on the prevalence and impact of FI and malnutrition among migrants in transit through Mexico. Existing studies predominantly focus on the broader phenomenon of migration, neglecting its direct consequences on the health and nutrition of displaced individuals [ 5 , 10 ]. Food insecurity often predates migration, serving as one of the driving forces behind individuals leaving their home countries in search of better living conditions. However, once in transit, migrants face unpredictable food availability and economic hardships, often going days without adequate nourishment. This prolonged deprivation exacerbates health risks and contributes to different forms of malnutrition [ 11 , 12 ]. Evidence indicates that 54.7% of migrants traveling through Mexico experience a reduction in food consumption, which may result in migrants' dietary patterns changing in a disorderly or non-nutritional manner. [ 8 , 13 , 14 ]. Despite the mounting concern regarding FI among migrants, there is a paucity of research examining its effects during transit, and the correlation between FI and malnutrition remains largely unexplored. The objective of this study is to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition among migrants in transit through Tabasco, Mexico. Methodology An observational, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted with the purpose of analyzing the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition in the period from February to June 2024 in the Guatemala-Mexico border, in the region of the municipality of Tenosique in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, an area of high migratory flow. The study included migrants in transit in Tenosique, Tabasco who met the established age range of 18 to 70 years and who gave their informed consent and approval to participate in the study; those who did not meet the aforementioned criteria did not participate in the research. During the study period, data from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR) in Tenosique, Tabasco, were used as the basis for a registry of 7,344 migrant refugees. Based on the data, a sample with a reliability of 95% and a margin of error of 5% was calculated, resulting in a sample of 366 migrants. The interviews were conducted directly with migrants traveling on foot, without the support of any institution, and the selection process was simple random sampling within the possibilities of the fieldwork [ 15 ]. The population was assessed through a survey that included items related to sociodemographic aspects (age, gender, nationality, educational levei), socioeconomic status was measured (high, middle and low), pre-migration illnesses, height and weight, as well as instruments for evaluating FI and malnutrition. The scale to measure FI is based on individual experience and we use the instrument proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which consists of eight item (appendix 1), with two possible answers for each question: “yes” or “no”. The items not only consider whether individuals consume nutritious food but also whether they have stopped consuming it due to a lack of financial resources. Each “yes” answer is valued with 1 point and each “no” with 0 points. The total sum of the items is used to determine the range of severity of food insecurity over a period of 30 days to 12 months, classifying it as: 1) Mild: 1–3 points; 2) Moderate: 4–6 points; and 3) Severe: 7–8 points [ 16 ] The instrument for measuring malnutrition considers numerical values such as the ideal weight/weight ratio (W/IW). To determine the ideal weight, the method was adapted to include the measurement of height and using the BMI table provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute for classification. The results were classified as follows: 1) Obesity grade III > 130%; 2) Obesity grade II: 121–130%; 3) Obesity grade I = 111–120%; 4) Overweight: P/PI = 101–110%; 5) Normal: P/P = 91–100%; 6) Mild malnutrition: P/PI = 80–90%; 7) Moderate malnutrition: P/PI = 60–79%; and 8) Severe undernutrition: P/PI < 60%. The Mel-CYTED Network group was utilized in the review, in accordance with the malnutrition diagnosis protocol [ 17 ]. Descriptive measures were implemented, resulting in the acquisition of frequencies and percentages, alongside measures of central tendency and dispersion. This analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 25. The research complied with the ethical considerations established in the Declaration of Helsinki. Likewise, the guidelines of the Mexican Official Standard, which establishes the criteria for conducting health research projects on human subjects, were followed. The study was approved by the Research Committee of the Academic Division of Health Sciences, Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco, Mexico with folio JI-LCT-173 [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Results This study included 366 migrants in transit through the municipality of Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico. Table 1 summarizes the participants' characteristics. Most participants were male (67.5%), while females accounted for 32.5%. The mean age was 32 years, with the most represented age groups being 18–25 years (30.1%) and 26–30 years (23%). Regarding nationality, 87.2% of the migrants were from Honduras, 6.6% from El Salvador and 4.9% from Guatemala. A low socioeconomic status was predominant in 79.5% of participants, and primary education was the most common educational level (50%). Table 1. Sociodemographic factors f % Ages 18 to 25 110 30.1 26 to 30 84 23.0 31 to 35 63 17.2 36 to 40 35 9.6 41 to 45 31 8.5 Ages 45 and up 43 11.7 Sex Male 247 67.5 Female 119 32.5 Nationality Honduras 319 87.2 El Salvador 24 6.6 Venezuela 4 1.1 Guatemala 18 4.9 Colombia 1 .3 Socioeconomic level Low 291 79.5 Middle 74 20.2 High 1 .3 Educational level None 45 12.3 Preschool 1 .3 Primary 183 50.0 High school 101 27.6 Bachelor's Degree 25 6.8 Technical High School 2 .5 Degree 9 2.5 As demonstrated in Table 2 , the assessment of FI, conducted using the scale proposed by FAO, revealed that 80.1% of the participants experienced severe food insecurity, 16.7% moderate food insecurity, and 3.3% mild food insecurity. Among the items in the FI instrument, the most relevant results were that 90.7% did not eat healthy and nutritious food due to lack of money or other resources, 70.8% stopped eating for a whole day due to lack of money or other resources, 94.5% mentioned that they had ever eaten a small variety of food due to lack of money or other resources, and 88.8% reported having worried about not having enough food to eat due to lack of money or other resources. Table 2 Food Insecurity Assessment f % Degree Lightweight 12 3.3 Moderate 61 16.7 Severe 293 80.1 Total 366 100.0 Nutritional status (Table 3 ), determined through the weight-to-ideal weight ratio, showed that 21% of the migrants were classified as having a normal nutritional status, followed by 20.2% who were overweight. Additionally, significant rates of obesity were identified: 17.8% in grade I, 10.4% in grade II, and 11.7% in grade III. On the other hand, 12% of the participants were classified as having mild malnutrition, 6.3% as moderately malnourished, and 0.5% as severely malnourished. Table 3 P/IP ratio to determine malnutrition f % Degree Severe undernutrition 2 .5 Moderate undernutrition 23 6.3 Lightweight undernutrition 44 12.0 Normal 77 21.0 Overweight 74 20.2 Grade I obesity 65 17.8 Grade II obesity 38 10.4 Grade III obesity 43 11.7 Total 366 100.0 Discussion A significant proportion of the migrant population experiences severe food insecurity, reaching 80.1%. This finding aligns with the research of Montes [ 21 ], who reported an even higher prevalence of food insecurity (98.8%) among migrants. The study population is predominantly male, is within the productive age range (18 to 25 years) and is characterized by a low socioeconomic level and a basic educational level (primary or secondary education). This pattern is consistent with the results of Riquelme [ 22 ], who mentions the same traits in this population, suggesting a possible migratory tendency in search of better opportunities. This same situation of economic vulnerability shows that migrants abstain from consuming varied or nutritious foods and even stop eating for an entire day due to lack of monetary resources. This is consistent with Montezuma's [ 23 ], who also points out that there is a restriction in food consumption due to lack of money, which could explain the high levels of severe food insecurity in this population. A large proportion of the population surveyed stated that they were from Honduras, suggesting a regional migration pattern toward Mexico. Although most participants were within the normal weight range, there was significant concern about food shortages due to a lack of money or other resources. This uncertainty reflects limited access to economic resources and a possible lack of knowledge about the food environment in the host country, which manifests itself in severe food insecurity, according to the study's findings. According to Deschak [ 24 ], migrants in transit through Mexico face similar situations, resorting to strategies such as skipping meals or reducing portions, which shows a constant concern about food availability during the journey. One of the study’s key limitations was the scarcity of comparable research, largely due to methodological differences and the diversity of the regions studied. Additionally, challenges arose in accessing both relevant information and the migrant population itself. Collecting real-time, high-quality data on migrants in transit remains a significant challenge for researchers. This methodological effort underscores the importance of studying mobile populations to inform the development of public policies tailored to their specific needs. Conclusion The study reveals an alarming prevalence of severe food insecurity among migrants transiting Tenosique, Tabasco. Contrary to the prevailing assumption that food insecurity is associated with acute malnutrition, our findings demonstrate that underweight and overweight individuals are more prevalent. Consequently, food insecurity frequently manifests not in altered anthropometric indicators but in persistent uncertainty over food availability and access. In addition to considering nutritional status, it is vital to identify the factors that exacerbate migration-related food insecurity. These include limited schooling, pronounced gender disparities and precarious socioeconomic conditions. Collectively, these results underscore an imperative for a paradigm shift in research on migration and food security, transcending static associations to interrogate how interacting structural vulnerabilities influence health outcomes in highly transient populations across contemporary migration corridors. Declarations Author Contribution Following the CRediT taxonomy, BJGL, JCGL and SQG conceived the study. SQG, CIX, and VMR developed the methodology, while JCGL, CIX, VMR, and VPR validated the procedures and findings. Formal analyses were carried out by BJGL, JCGL, SQG, and CIX. Field investigation was undertaken by BJGL and JCGL. JCGL, VMR, and VPR secured the necessary resources, and data were curated by BJGL together with JCGL. The original draft was written by BJG-L and JCGL, with critical review and editing provided by SQG, CIX, VMR, and VPR. Visualizations were produced by BJG-L and VPR. SQG supervised the entire project, managed its administration. All authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and take full responsibility for its content. Acknowledgement We extend our deepest gratitude to the migrant participants who, with remarkable generosity and courage, shared their time, experiences, and insights while journeying through the Tenosique–Guatemala border. Your willingness to contribute, despite the challenges and uncertainty you face, was indispensable to the success of this study. Your voices enrich scientific understanding and shed light on often-overlooked realities, helping to drive more just and humane policies. To each of you, we offer our profound respect and heartfelt thanks. References Martínez Caballero G. Migration Statistics [Internet]. 2023rd ed. Migration Policy, Registration and Identity of Persons Unit. Mexico City: Ministry of the Interior; 2023. 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[Internet]. Universidad del Zulia; 2020 [citado: 2025, mayo] . Available in: https://doi.org/10.31876/rcs.v26i2.32443 Aragón Gama AC, Infante Xibille C, Mundo Rosas V, Liu X, Orjuela-Grimm M. Relative severity of food insecurity during land migration in transit through Mexico. J Immigr Minor Health [Internet]. 2020;22(6):1118-25. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-020-01063-w Barreneche A. Characterization of coping strategies against food insecurity applied by Venezuelan migrants [Internet]. [Bogotá]: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; 2020 [cited 21 Apr 2024]. Available in: https://repository.javer Hun N, Urzúa A, Espinoza AL. Global food quality in the migrant population residing in chile. Nutr Hosp [Internet]. 2021; 38(6):1232–7. Available in: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112021000700018 Hun N, Urzúa A, López-Espinoza A. Food and migration: A descriptive-comparative analysis of food behavior between Chileans and Colombians residing in the North and Center of Chile. Nutr Hosp [Internet]. 2020; 37(4):823–9. Available in: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112020000500025 Orjuela-Grimm M, Deschak C, Aragon Gama CA, Bhatt Carreño S, Hoyos L, Mundo V, et al. Migrantes en movimiento e (in)seguridad alimentaria: Un llamado a la investigación. J Immigr Minor Health [Internet]. 2022;24(5):1318–27. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01276-7 Fundamentals in migration management. Essential knowledge about the Global Context of International Migration. 2024 [cited 2024 Apr 21]. Factors that promote international migration. Available in: https://emm.iom.int/es/handbooks/contexto-global-de-la-migracion-internacional/factores-que-propician-la-migracion Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance. COMAR in numbers [Internet]. 2024 Jan [cited 2024 Jul 3]. Available in: https://www.gob.mx/comar/es/articulos/la-comar-en-numeros-355058?idiom=es Ballard T. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale Development of a Global Standard for Monitoring Hunger Worldwide [Internet]. Rome; 2013. Available at: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/esa/docs/FIES_Technical_Paper_new%20and%20final% Ravasco P, Anderson H, Mardones F. Methods of assessing nutritional status. SciELO [Internet]. 2010;23. Available in: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112010000900009 World Medical Association. WMA. 2024 [cited 24 April 2024]. WMA Helsinki declaration – ethical principles for medical research on human subjects. Available in: https://www.wma.net/es/policies-post/declaracion-de-helsinki-de-la-amm-principios-eticos-para-las-investigaciones-medicas-en-seres-humanos/ Fajardo G. SEGOB. 2012. Official Gazette of the Federation. Available in: https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5284148&fecha=04/01/2013#gsc.tab=0 The 72/Pies Descalzos AC. The 72. 2024 [cited 2024 Apr 22]. La 72, Home-Shelter for Migrants. Available in: https://www.la72tenosique.org/ Montes-Micker AP, Mundo-Rosas V, Infante-Xibillé C, Deschak C, Aragón-Gama AC, Dolores-Maldonado G, et al. Food insecurity and water consumption in migrants transiting through Mexico during the Covid-19 pandemic. Salud Publica Mex [Internet].2024; 66(2, Mar-Apr):157–64. Available in: https://saludpublica.mx/index.php/spm/article/view/14873 Riquelme Q, Fernández Romero GD. El impacto socioeconómico y cultural de la migración rural en dos asentamientos urbanos de los municipios de Limpio y Villa Hayes, período 2008-2017. Kera Yvoty [Internet]. 30 de noviembre de 2021 [citado 31 de mayo de 2025];6:77-88. Disponible en: https://revistascientificas.una.py/index.php/kerayvoty/article/view/2174 Montezuma Julie. Food and nutritional security and survival strategies for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. [Internet]. [Barranquilla]: Universidad del Norte; 2020. Available in: https://manglar.uninorte.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10584/9824/tesis.pdf?sequence=1 Deschak CI, Infante C, Mundo-Rosas V, Aragón-Gama AC, Orjuela-Grimm M. Food insecurity and coping strategies in international migrants in transit through Mexico. J Migr Health [Internet]. 2022;5(100099):100099. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100099 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files S1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7125080","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":498972734,"identity":"5e019ec1-6299-48a0-9421-bf665c0c57cf","order_by":0,"name":"Berty Jhoann García-Leiva","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Berty","middleName":"Jhoann","lastName":"García-Leiva","suffix":""},{"id":498972744,"identity":"7f915ec8-a632-4cba-b2ef-7f0141c7a6fa","order_by":1,"name":"Juan Carlos Galvez-Layna","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Juan","middleName":"Carlos","lastName":"Galvez-Layna","suffix":""},{"id":498972745,"identity":"48262a32-719d-47bd-ad3e-bcd557770b25","order_by":2,"name":"Sergio Quiroz-Gomez","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA6klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCCBBDBDCIqIBQpWs4AKTaSrGNsAxKEtMi39z5+8aCCQXbDcd6HD3/OO8zOP7+BdTMPHi0GZ46bWSScYTDecJjd2EBy22FmiWMMbDdn4NMikcZmkNjGkLjhMBubhCFQCwNQy40P+Bw2/xmSlsQ5h5nlQVoS8HnmBhvzA7iWgw2HmQ0I2WJwJo2NIeGMhPHMw2zMhg3H0pkNjyW24fWLfPsx5o8/Kmxk+84fY3z4o8Y6We7w4WO38YUYELBJMDBIMDZAecnA2GnAoxoMmEEOhyuzI6R8FIyCUTAKRh4AAM6tS2c7VKsZAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sergio","middleName":"","lastName":"Quiroz-Gomez","suffix":""},{"id":498972746,"identity":"e556f1af-e52e-40f5-933f-33aee563a20d","order_by":3,"name":"César Infante-Xibille","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"César","middleName":"","lastName":"Infante-Xibille","suffix":""},{"id":498972747,"identity":"9ed9c6d4-f0c2-4318-8eff-995a25bf5549","order_by":4,"name":"Verónica Mundo-Rosas","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Verónica","middleName":"","lastName":"Mundo-Rosas","suffix":""},{"id":498972748,"identity":"6cf6f935-f697-4fc2-a8d5-92afa2aa433f","order_by":5,"name":"Victoria Pando-Robles","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Victoria","middleName":"","lastName":"Pando-Robles","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-15 01:23:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":103504570,"identity":"5e310127-6fda-4bf0-9c71-4c721b56bcee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-26 13:20:37","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":480552,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7125080/v1/ef4b29b4-96e5-4e4e-bcc3-0b330ec16abc.pdf"},{"id":88859543,"identity":"beda6bbb-d204-4909-b80c-3d07e737ffc1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-12 07:25:49","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":19728,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"S1.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7125080/v1/49ba9cd2a0a8c6dbdfd7e9f0.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eNutritional Status and Food Insecurity in Migrant Populations at the Mexico–Guatemala Border: A Case Study in Tenosique, Tabasco\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"New Contribution to the Literature","content":"\u003cp\u003eBy establishing a robust foundation for future research, this study provides actionable data and methodological insights that can drive innovative interventions and policy frameworks. Strengthening food and nutrition surveillance systems in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is imperative to addressing these challenges. A real-time, adaptive surveillance model tailored to mobile populations could revolutionize public health strategies, ensuring that humanitarian efforts and policy responses align with the lived realities of migrants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis research challenges traditional narratives and proposes a data-driven approach that is not only crucial for academic inquiry but also instrumental in shaping international policies on migration, food security, and public health. The integration of interdisciplinary methodologies and cross-sectoral collaborations will be essential in mitigating food insecurity and improving health outcomes for migrant populations worldwide.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Theoretical Framework","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study is grounded in the Social Determinants of Health paradigm and the “syndemic” framework that conceptualises FI, forced migration and malnutrition as mutually reinforcing processes. From January to November 2023, Mexico reported 686,732 irregular migrants, a significant proportion of whom were either seeking refuge in the country or using it as a transit point to the United States (USA) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Food insecurity (FI) is a critical challenge for this population, with many experiencing severe food deprivation during their journey [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. In the state of Tabasco, 236,808 migrants were recorded during this period, yet only 10% were accommodated in shelters. As a key entry point into Mexico, Tabasco shares a 111-kilometer border with Guatemala, making it a primary corridor for Central and South American migrants. Many follow the Tabasco-Veracruz-Tamaulipas route, the shortest path to the USA. Within this region, the municipality of Tenosique has been identified as a strategic migration hub, with seven known entry points facilitating irregular transit [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMigrants endure precarious conditions during their journey, including prolonged travel periods, inadequate shelter, and limited food access, compounded by environmental and psychosocial stressors. These conditions not only increase their vulnerability to acute illnesses but also restrict their access to medical care [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR8\" citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e–\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Despite the presence of humanitarian programs and foundations aimed at addressing these needs, the scale of migration far exceeds available resources. The lack of adequate shelter leaves most migrants without a secure place to stay and, more critically, without reliable access to food. Moreover, there is a notable scarcity of empirical data on the prevalence and impact of FI and malnutrition among migrants in transit through Mexico. Existing studies predominantly focus on the broader phenomenon of migration, neglecting its direct consequences on the health and nutrition of displaced individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFood insecurity often predates migration, serving as one of the driving forces behind individuals leaving their home countries in search of better living conditions. However, once in transit, migrants face unpredictable food availability and economic hardships, often going days without adequate nourishment. This prolonged deprivation exacerbates health risks and contributes to different forms of malnutrition [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvidence indicates that 54.7% of migrants traveling through Mexico experience a reduction in food consumption, which may result in migrants' dietary patterns changing in a disorderly or non-nutritional manner.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Despite the mounting concern regarding FI among migrants, there is a paucity of research examining its effects during transit, and the correlation between FI and malnutrition remains largely unexplored.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe objective of this study is to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition among migrants in transit through Tabasco, Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eAn observational, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted with the purpose of analyzing the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition in the period from February to June 2024 in the Guatemala-Mexico border, in the region of the municipality of Tenosique in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, an area of high migratory flow.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study included migrants in transit in Tenosique, Tabasco who met the established age range of 18 to 70 years and who gave their informed consent and approval to participate in the study; those who did not meet the aforementioned criteria did not participate in the research.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring the study period, data from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR) in Tenosique, Tabasco, were used as the basis for a registry of 7,344 migrant refugees. Based on the data, a sample with a reliability of 95% and a margin of error of 5% was calculated, resulting in a sample of 366 migrants. The interviews were conducted directly with migrants traveling on foot, without the support of any institution, and the selection process was simple random sampling within the possibilities of the fieldwork [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe population was assessed through a survey that included items related to sociodemographic aspects (age, gender, nationality, educational levei), socioeconomic status was measured (high, middle and low), pre-migration illnesses, height and weight, as well as instruments for evaluating FI and malnutrition.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe scale to measure FI is based on individual experience and we use the instrument proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which consists of eight item (appendix 1), with two possible answers for each question: “yes” or “no”. The items not only consider whether individuals consume nutritious food but also whether they have stopped consuming it due to a lack of financial resources. Each “yes” answer is valued with 1 point and each “no” with 0 points. The total sum of the items is used to determine the range of severity of food insecurity over a period of 30 days to 12 months, classifying it as: 1) Mild: 1–3 points; 2) Moderate: 4–6 points; and 3) Severe: 7–8 points [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe instrument for measuring malnutrition considers numerical values such as the ideal weight/weight ratio (W/IW). To determine the ideal weight, the method was adapted to include the measurement of height and using the BMI table provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute for classification. The results were classified as follows: 1) Obesity grade III \u0026gt; 130%; 2) Obesity grade II: 121–130%; 3) Obesity grade I = 111–120%; 4) Overweight: P/PI = 101–110%; 5) Normal: P/P = 91–100%; 6) Mild malnutrition: P/PI = 80–90%; 7) Moderate malnutrition: P/PI = 60–79%; and 8) Severe undernutrition: P/PI \u0026lt; 60%.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Mel-CYTED Network group was utilized in the review, in accordance with the malnutrition diagnosis protocol [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescriptive measures were implemented, resulting in the acquisition of frequencies and percentages, alongside measures of central tendency and dispersion. This analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 25.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The research complied with the ethical considerations established in the Declaration of Helsinki. Likewise, the guidelines of the Mexican Official Standard, which establishes the criteria for conducting health research projects on human subjects, were followed. The study was approved by the Research Committee of the Academic Division of Health Sciences, Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco, Mexico with folio JI-LCT-173 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study included 366 migrants in transit through the municipality of Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico. Table\u0026nbsp;1 summarizes the participants' characteristics. Most participants were male (67.5%), while females accounted for 32.5%. The mean age was 32 years, with the most represented age groups being 18\u0026ndash;25 years (30.1%) and 26\u0026ndash;30 years (23%). Regarding nationality, 87.2% of the migrants were from Honduras, 6.6% from El Salvador and 4.9% from Guatemala. A low socioeconomic status was predominant in 79.5% of participants, and primary education was the most common educational level (50%).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"No\" id=\"Taba\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;1. Sociodemographic factors\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ef\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAges\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 to 25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26 to 30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 to 35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 to 40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41 to 45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAges 45 and up\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSex\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e247\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNationality\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHonduras\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e319\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEl Salvador\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVenezuela\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGuatemala\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColombia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocioeconomic level\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e291\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiddle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational level\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreschool\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e183\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh school\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e101\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBachelor's Degree\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical High School\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDegree\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs demonstrated in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, the assessment of FI, conducted using the scale proposed by FAO, revealed that 80.1% of the participants experienced severe food insecurity, 16.7% moderate food insecurity, and 3.3% mild food insecurity. Among the items in the FI instrument, the most relevant results were that 90.7% did not eat healthy and nutritious food due to lack of money or other resources, 70.8% stopped eating for a whole day due to lack of money or other resources, 94.5% mentioned that they had ever eaten a small variety of food due to lack of money or other resources, and 88.8% reported having worried about not having enough food to eat due to lack of money or other resources.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFood Insecurity Assessment\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ef\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDegree\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLightweight\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSevere\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e293\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e366\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNutritional status (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e), determined through the weight-to-ideal weight ratio, showed that 21% of the migrants were classified as having a normal nutritional status, followed by 20.2% who were overweight. Additionally, significant rates of obesity were identified: 17.8% in grade I, 10.4% in grade II, and 11.7% in grade III. On the other hand, 12% of the participants were classified as having mild malnutrition, 6.3% as moderately malnourished, and 0.5% as severely malnourished.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP/IP ratio to determine malnutrition\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ef\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"8\" rowspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDegree\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSevere undernutrition\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate undernutrition\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLightweight undernutrition\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNormal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverweight\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrade I obesity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrade II obesity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrade III obesity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e366\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eA significant proportion of the migrant population experiences severe food insecurity, reaching 80.1%. This finding aligns with the research of Montes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e], who reported an even higher prevalence of food insecurity (98.8%) among migrants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study population is predominantly male, is within the productive age range (18 to 25 years) and is characterized by a low socioeconomic level and a basic educational level (primary or secondary education). This pattern is consistent with the results of Riquelme [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e], who mentions the same traits in this population, suggesting a possible migratory tendency in search of better opportunities. This same situation of economic vulnerability shows that migrants abstain from consuming varied or nutritious foods and even stop eating for an entire day due to lack of monetary resources. This is consistent with Montezuma's [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e], who also points out that there is a restriction in food consumption due to lack of money, which could explain the high levels of severe food insecurity in this population.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large proportion of the population surveyed stated that they were from Honduras, suggesting a regional migration pattern toward Mexico. Although most participants were within the normal weight range, there was significant concern about food shortages due to a lack of money or other resources. This uncertainty reflects limited access to economic resources and a possible lack of knowledge about the food environment in the host country, which manifests itself in severe food insecurity, according to the study's findings. According to Deschak [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e], migrants in transit through Mexico face similar situations, resorting to strategies such as skipping meals or reducing portions, which shows a constant concern about food availability during the journey.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the study\u0026rsquo;s key limitations was the scarcity of comparable research, largely due to methodological differences and the diversity of the regions studied. Additionally, challenges arose in accessing both relevant information and the migrant population itself. Collecting real-time, high-quality data on migrants in transit remains a significant challenge for researchers. This methodological effort underscores the importance of studying mobile populations to inform the development of public policies tailored to their specific needs.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study reveals an alarming prevalence of severe food insecurity among migrants transiting Tenosique, Tabasco. Contrary to the prevailing assumption that food insecurity is associated with acute malnutrition, our findings demonstrate that underweight and overweight individuals are more prevalent. Consequently, food insecurity frequently manifests not in altered anthropometric indicators but in persistent uncertainty over food availability and access. In addition to considering nutritional status, it is vital to identify the factors that exacerbate migration-related food insecurity. These include limited schooling, pronounced gender disparities and precarious socioeconomic conditions. Collectively, these results underscore an imperative for a paradigm shift in research on migration and food security, transcending static associations to interrogate how interacting structural vulnerabilities influence health outcomes in highly transient populations across contemporary migration corridors.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing the CRediT taxonomy, BJGL, JCGL and SQG conceived the study. SQG, CIX, and VMR developed the methodology, while JCGL, CIX, VMR, and VPR validated the procedures and findings. Formal analyses were carried out by BJGL, JCGL, SQG, and CIX. Field investigation was undertaken by BJGL and JCGL. JCGL, VMR, and VPR secured the necessary resources, and data were curated by BJGL together with JCGL. The original draft was written by BJG-L and JCGL, with critical review and editing provided by SQG, CIX, VMR, and VPR. Visualizations were produced by BJG-L and VPR. SQG supervised the entire project, managed its administration. All authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and take full responsibility for its content.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe extend our deepest gratitude to the migrant participants who, with remarkable generosity and courage, shared their time, experiences, and insights while journeying through the Tenosique\u0026ndash;Guatemala border. Your willingness to contribute, despite the challenges and uncertainty you face, was indispensable to the success of this study. Your voices enrich scientific understanding and shed light on often-overlooked realities, helping to drive more just and humane policies. To each of you, we offer our profound respect and heartfelt thanks.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMart\u0026iacute;nez Caballero G. Migration Statistics [Internet]. 2023rd ed. 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Available in: https://www.gob.mx/comar/es/articulos/la-comar-en-numeros-355058?idiom=es \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBallard T. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale Development of a Global Standard for Monitoring Hunger Worldwide [Internet]. Rome; 2013. Available at: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/esa/docs/FIES_Technical_Paper_new%20and%20final%\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRavasco P, Anderson H, Mardones F. Methods of assessing nutritional status. SciELO [Internet]. 2010;23. Available in: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext\u0026amp;pid=S0212-16112010000900009 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Medical Association. WMA. 2024 [cited 24 April 2024]. WMA Helsinki declaration \u0026ndash; ethical principles for medical research on human subjects. Available in: https://www.wma.net/es/policies-post/declaracion-de-helsinki-de-la-amm-principios-eticos-para-las-investigaciones-medicas-en-seres-humanos/ \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFajardo G. SEGOB. 2012. Official Gazette of the Federation. Available in: https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5284148\u0026amp;fecha=04/01/2013#gsc.tab=0 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 72/Pies Descalzos AC. The 72. 2024 [cited 2024 Apr 22]. La 72, Home-Shelter for Migrants. Available in: https://www.la72tenosique.org/ \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMontes-Micker AP, Mundo-Rosas V, Infante-Xibill\u0026eacute; C, Deschak C, Arag\u0026oacute;n-Gama AC, Dolores-Maldonado G, et al. Food insecurity and water consumption in migrants transiting through Mexico during the Covid-19 pandemic. Salud Publica Mex [Internet].2024; 66(2, Mar-Apr):157\u0026ndash;64. Available in: https://saludpublica.mx/index.php/spm/article/view/14873 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRiquelme Q, Fern\u0026aacute;ndez Romero GD. El impacto socioecon\u0026oacute;mico y cultural de la migraci\u0026oacute;n rural en dos asentamientos urbanos de los municipios de Limpio y Villa Hayes, per\u0026iacute;odo 2008-2017. Kera Yvoty [Internet]. 30 de noviembre de 2021 [citado 31 de mayo de 2025];6:77-88. Disponible en: https://revistascientificas.una.py/index.php/kerayvoty/article/view/2174\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMontezuma Julie. Food and nutritional security and survival strategies for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. [Internet]. [Barranquilla]: Universidad del Norte; 2020. Available in: https://manglar.uninorte.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10584/9824/tesis.pdf?sequence=1\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeschak CI, Infante C, Mundo-Rosas V, Arag\u0026oacute;n-Gama AC, Orjuela-Grimm M. Food insecurity and coping strategies in international migrants in transit through Mexico. J Migr Health [Internet]. 2022;5(100099):100099. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100099\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Food Rationing, Undernourishment, Diaspora, migration","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eObjective: To analyze food insecurity and malnutrition among migrants in transit through the Mexico-Guatemala border.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from February to June 2024 in Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico, using a sample of 366 migrants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via structured surveys addressing sociodemographic characteristics. Food insecurity was assessed using the FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale, and \u0026nbsp;nutrional status was determined by the weight-to-ideal weight ratio for malnutrition classification.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults: The majority of participants were male (67.5%) with a mean age of 32 years. Severe food insecurity was observed in 80.1% of the migrants, while only 3.3% experienced mild food insecurity. Regarding nutritional status, 21% of the participants were classified as having normal weight, and 20.2% as overweight. Obesity was also prevalent, with 17.8% categorized as grade I, 10.4% as grade II, and 11.7% as grade III.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusions: A substantial proportion of migrants experienced severe food insecurity, yet a significant number exhibited normal or elevated body weight. These findings underscore the complex relationship between food insecurity and dietary transitions in migratory contexts and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve both food access and nutritional outcomes among vulnerable populations.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Nutritional Status and Food Insecurity in Migrant Populations at the Mexico–Guatemala Border: A Case Study in Tenosique, Tabasco","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-12 07:25:44","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7125080/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"1f3f49f2-cfe1-4e64-bf72-8cb612f05d06","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 12th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-21T22:23:49+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-12 07:25:44","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7125080","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7125080","identity":"rs-7125080","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}