Resumen

ECHAGUE, Gloria et al. Nutritional state and food aspects of indigenous women from Presidente Hayes department, Paraguay. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2015, vol.47, n.3, pp.271-280. ISSN 0121-0807.

Introduction: Indigenous communities present higher risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, lower availability of resources and growing dependence on cheaper food but with high degree of processing. Objective: To identify the nutritional state and food aspects in indigenous women from three communities of Presidente Hayes Department, Paraguayan Chaco. Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study with analytical component including 81 women who were 15 to 44 years old from the Maká and Toba Qom ethnic groups. After giving their informed consent, the nutritional assessment and the interview to collect socio-demographic and food data were carried out. Results: The indigenous women presented an overweight frequency of 30.8 % and obesity of 21.0%, while malnutrition was observed in 1.2%. No significant differences were found between ethnic groups in relation to overweight and obesity (p>0.05). High ingestion of fruits, sugar and honey was observed and 87% and 88% of the indigenous women from both ethnic groups referred that they did not consume dairy products and derivatives and 65% and 69% referred that they did not consume vegetables. Conclusions: High percentages of obesity and overweight were observed. Low consumption of dairy products, its by products and vegetables and a high consumption of sugar were observed, related probably to changes in food aspects and the habits of these groups, influenced by the proximity to urban areas and the access to low prices food with high energetic content.

Palabras clave : nutritional status; women; feeding.

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