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

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.