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

OLMEDO, SOFÍA IRENE; VALEGGIA, CLAUDIA RITA; BERRA, SILVINA; DOLORES ROMAN, MARÍA; OLMEDO, SOFÍA IRENE; VALEGGIA, CLAUDIA RITA; BERRA, SILVINA; DOLORES ROMAN, MARÍA

Current Developments in Nutrition

Oxford Academic

Año: 2020 vol. 4 p. 158 - 158

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to explore the food consumption patterns of Qom preschoolers and to describe cultural domains about the significance of feeding in this indigenous population in northern Argentina.Design and methodsThis cross-sectional and mixed-methods study was conducted in 2016?2017 and focused on 160 preschoolers and their mothers in the village of Namqom. It used a closed questionnaire, three 24-h recalls, and free listing techniques.ResultsQom preschoolers had a high prevalence of excess weight (25%) and stunting (16%). Mothers reported only 38 food items consumed by preschoolers. Almost all of the children (96%) consume white bread, while 89% consume milk, 87.5% sweet cookies, 84.7% some sort of stew, 72% fried dough and 63.1% soup. In addition, it was found that preschoolers did not consume neither fresh and varied vegetables, nor available fruits. They did not consume fresh fish and other meats, either. Caregivers related the term ?feeding? with ?having to eat?, which might be associated with the poverty context in which they live. Caregivers also mentioned ?eating right? to get healthy or grow up strong.ConclusionsThe present study revealed a relatively elevated consumption of high energy, but nutritionally poor food, and malnutrition, which reflects the impacts of poverty. We found that the cultural domain of food is linked to survival and depletion ideas.