Food Intake and the Significance of Feeding in Qom Children of Northern Argentina

OLMEDO, SOFÍA I; ROMÁN, MARÍA D; BERRA, SILVINA; VALEGGIA, CLAUDIA R

Current Developments in Nutrition

American Society for Nutrition

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2020 vol. 4 p. 1 - 8

Background: As part of the ubiquitous nutritional transition indigenous are experiencing, the typical diet of most indigenous communities is beingsubstituted by one with high-fat and high-energy-density foods. Domestic feeding transmits cultural factors through meaning and symbolisminfluential in food, preparation, and meal experiences, which in turn influence children?s eating habits differently among social groups.Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore the food consumption patterns of Qom preschoolers and to describe cultural domains aboutthe significance of feeding in this indigenous population in northern Argentina.Methods: This cross-sectional and mixed-methods study was conducted in 2016?2017 and focused on 160 preschoolers and their mothers in thevillage of Namqom. It used a closed questionnaire, three 24-h recalls, and free listing techniques.Results: Qom preschoolers had a high prevalence of excess weight (25%) and stunting (16%). Mothers reported only 38 food items consumed bypreschoolers. Almost all of the children (96%) consumed white bread, whereas 89% consumed milk, 87.5% sweet cookies, 84.7% some sort ofstew, 72% fried dough, and 63.1% soup. In addition, it was found that preschoolers consumed neither fresh and varied vegetables, nor availablefruits. They did not consume fresh fish and other meats, either. Caregivers related the term ?feeding? with ?having to eat,? which might beassociated with the context of poverty in which they live. Caregivers also mentioned ?eating right? to get healthy or grow up strong.Conclusions: The present study revealed a relatively elevated consumption of high-energy but nutritionally poor food, and malnutrition, whichreflects the impacts of poverty. We found that the cultural domain of food is linked to survival and depletion ideas.