Conductas alimentarias en población indígena y su relación con la desnutrición crónica en niños menores de 5 años de la parroquia Juan Benigno Vela.

Abstract

Worldwide, in developing countries, 25% of the population under 5 years of age has malnutrition problems (1). Malnutrition increases the risk of infant morbidity and mortality (2). According to UNICEF (2015) (2), 42.3% prevail in indigenous children with growth retardation, unlike other racial groups (3). Objective: To determine the eating behaviors of the indigenous population related to chronic malnutrition in children older than 1 year and younger than 5 years of age in the Parish of Juan Benigno Vela. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study with a mixed design. Data from 30 chronically malnourished children were collected. A semi-structured interview was carried out with the parents or caregivers, on the eating habits and knowledge of breastfeeding, ablactation, among others. Results: 53.3% of caregivers are between 20 and 29 years of age, the majority female and correspond to the mother of the child. 66.7% self-identified as XVII

indigenous. The degree of chronic malnutrition according to the IMCI growth curve, it was recorded that 76.7% were in the -2 percentile and 23.3% in the -3 percentile. All the children received exclusive breastfeeding. 73.3% do not know what are the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. 86.7% of children were breastfed for more than one year of age. Ablactation or the start of complementary feeding was performed between 6 to 8 months of age with 73.3% and the majority began ablactation with "soup", liquid type, of the family diet. Keywords (5): Eating behaviors, chronic malnutrition, child malnutrition, indigenous, under 5 years of age, parents or caregivers.