ABSTRACT
Antecedentes: la definición de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional (SAN) incluye la importancia de la calidad nutricional de los alimentos además de la suficiencia. Sin embargo, aún existe un énfasis en el aspecto de la suficiencia, incluso en contextos con crecientes problemas relacionados con sobrealimentación. Objetivos: describir estrategias locales para el manejo de la alimentación en la escasez de recursos; documentar perspectivas sobre la SAN en comunidades vulnerables; evaluar enlaces conceptuales entre la SAN y la alimentación saludable en estas comunidades, y comparar las definiciones locales acerca de la SAN con la política nacional sobre la SAN. Materiales y métodos: investigación cualitativa utilizando grupos focales, entrevistas informales y observaciones no estructuradas, seguida por codificación y análisis. Resultados y conclusiones: los participantes definieron la SAN como ''asegurar'' los alimentos (disponibilidad e inocuidad, incluyendo modo de producción y procesamiento de alimentos). Hubo desacuerdo entre los participantes sobre la conexión entre la SAN y la alimentación saludable. Se encontraron áreas de concordancia y desacuerdo entre la percepción local sobre la SAN y la política nacional. Es necesario entender cómo las concepciones locales evolucionan dado cambios en los alimentos disponibles localmente y la capacidad adquisitiva de poblaciones vulnerables.
Background: the definition of food and nutrition security (FNS) includes the importance of the nutritional quality of foods other than sufficiency. However, there is still an emphasis on sufficiency, even in settings with increasing problems relating to overeating. Objectives: (1) describe local coping strategies in times of resource scarcity; (2) document perspectives related to FNS in vulnerable communities; (3) evaluate the conceptual links between FNS and healthy eating in these communities and (4) compare local FNS definitions to the national discourse found in the FNS national policy. Materials and methods: qualitative research using focus groups, informal interviews and unstructured observations, followed by analytic coding. Results and conclusions: participants defined FNS as ''securing'' the food (availability and food safety, including concerns over food production and processing methods). There was disagreement among the participants regarding the connection between FNS and healthy eating. Areas of agreement and disagreement between the local discourse on national politics and SAN were found. More information is needed on how local conceptions evolve in the light of changes in the types of food available and accessible locally for vulnerable populations.
Subject(s)
Humans , Central America , Food Security , Diet , El Salvador , Diet, Healthy , Poverty , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To develop a household-level diet quality indicator (HDQI) using the Salvadorian dietary guidelines to assess the dietary quality of households in vulnerable communities in El Salvador. DESIGN: The Salvadorian dietary guidelines were reviewed and eighteen HDQI components were identified (nine foods and nine nutrients). The components were evaluated using a proportional scoring system from 0 to 1, penalizing over- and under-consumption, where appropriate. The HDQI was validated in consultations with experts in El Salvador and by statistical analyses of the study sample data. Dietary variety and energy, nutrient and food intakes were compared among households above and below the median HDQI score using Student's t test. SETTING: Vulnerable, border communities in El Salvador. SUBJECTS: Households (n 140) provided food consumption information using an FFQ and sociodemographic data. RESULTS: The mean HDQI score was 63·5, ranging from 43·6 to 90·0. The indicator showed a positive, significant association with the dietary variety components. The statistical associations of the indicator with the energy and nutrient components were as expected. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the indicator's demonstrated face validity and the results of the expert consultations, the indicator is suggested as a good measure of diet quality for households in El Salvador.
Subject(s)
Diet/standards , Health Transition , Nutritional Status , Residence Characteristics , Vulnerable Populations/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , El Salvador/epidemiology , Energy Intake/physiology , Female , Food Supply/standards , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Nutrition Assessment , Rural Population , Seasons , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vulnerable Populations/psychologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the dietary intake of Salvadoran households according to perceived access to healthy meals (PAHD), and to identify household characteristics associated with diet quality and PAHD. METHODS: Secondary data analysis with a sample of 139 Salvadoran households from resource-poor communities in El Salvador. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to assess differences in dietary intake across households classified according to PAHD. RESULTS: High-PAHD households had higher women's education, household food security levels, overall diet quality, and variety, and higher intakes of animal products, fats, cholesterol, vitamin C, and sodium (P < .05). Diet quality was not associated with the household characteristics studied. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Overall diet quality was associated with higher levels of PAHD, but some differences in intakes were not as expected, such as higher intakes in foods and nutrients associated with low-quality diets, among high PAHD households.
