Nutrición Hospitalaria
ISSN 1699-5198 ISSN 0212-1611
KOVALSKYS, Irina et al. Poverty as a determinant of food quality in Argentina. Results of the Argentine Study of Nutrition and Health (EANS). []. , 37, 1, pp.114-122. 08--2020. ISSN 1699-5198. https://dx.doi.org/10.20960/nh.02828.
Introduction:
socio-economic differences lead to food and nutritional inequalities. Diet is a modifiable risk factor by public health activities, on the way to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Objective:
to estimate food inequalities in Argentina based on the socioeconomic level of the population, analyzing the consumption of different food groups.
Methods:
Argentine data from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health. Sample: 1,266 individuals stratified by gender, socioeconomic level and geographic region. Intake: 2 24-hour reminders with the multi-step technique. Analysis: with the NDS Software average consumption values of 11 food groups were analyzed by socioeconomic level and country region.
Results:
the population with lower socioeconomic status consumes significantly less fruits, vegetables and dairy products than the population with medium to high socioeconomic level. Fruits: 59 vs. 79.1 and 106.3 g/d, respectively; p = 0.000. Vegetables: 82.3 g/d vs. 112 and 118 g/d; p = 0.000. Dairy products: 114 g/d vs. 165 and 137 g/d; p = 0.000). On the contrary, it consumes a greater volume of soft drinks and industrial juices (680 mL/d vs. 527 and 590 mL/d, respectively; p = 0.000), infusions with added sugar (568 mL/d vs. 385 and 309 mL/d; p = 0.000), bread (85 g/d vs. 75.5 and 66.7 g/d; p = 0.012) and pastries (159 g/d vs. 147 and 122 g/d; p = 0.008).
Conclusions:
Social vulnerability is an important determinant for diet quality. Interventions designed to reduce social inequalities as linked to nutrition and health are essential.
: Diet; Argentina; Socioeconomic status; Nutrition surveys; ELANS.