Valoración nutricional y hábitos alimenticios en niños de las Comunidades Indígenas Shuar, Morona Santiago - Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction. There are no significant nutritional programs, aimed at understanding the nutritional status and eating habits of the indigenous Shuar communities that generate the promotion of health programs. The most vulnerable population of the Shuar indigenous ethnic group is the infantile population; those who live in marginal rural and urban areas with limitations in health and education services due to their settlement in jungle areas of difficult access. Objective. Evaluate the nutritional status and eating habits of children from 0 to 12 years old, by analyzing anthropometric data and biochemical tests as a baseline for future community health interventions. Material and methods. It is a study with a quantitative scope of a non-experimental, transversal-descriptive nature. Nutritional clinical histories, 24-hour reminder, frequency of food consumption, as well as a comparison of anthropometric data and blood sample for quantification of capillary hematocrit were performed. Results. 21.79% of the total number of children served in the 3 indigenous communities presents Malnutrition. 6.41% of the total number of children served in the 3 indigenous communities is underweight. 1.92% of the total number of children treated in the 3 indigenous communities is overweight. Conclusions. Malnutrition is due to multiple factors, among which has been identified the intake of food with low nutritional value, socioeconomic-cultural factors and the great distances to obtain diversified food.