Abstract

LIEVANO-FIESCO, Martha  and  TOBAR-VARGAS, Luisa. Characterization of the nutritional and food security of the population of Verjón Bajo, Chapinero, Bogotá, D.C.. Univ. Sci. [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.3, pp.298-305. ISSN 0122-7483.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the alimentary and nutritional status of families at Vereda El Verjón Bajo, in the Chapinero district of Bogotá. The research conducted was an observational, transversal and descriptive study, which included 23 families. The data collection was performed using a food survey. The components analyzed were: socio-demographic characteristics, consumption, availability, use and safety of food. Results show that average families are composed of 4.5 members and that monthly allocation of money for buying food is of COP $161.875.oo. Food groups preferred by families are cereals (60.9%), tubers (56.5%), and vegetables (47.8%). In regards to availability we found that only 39.1% of the families own a home garden in their backyards to produce food for their consumption. Families do not suppress consumption of any food in particular when suffering of diarrhea (82.6%), influenza (65.6%) or vomit (73.9%). In regards to the nutritional status of children under the age of 5 (n=9), they exhibit deficits according to indicators weight/age (77.78%), height/age (88.8%) and weight/height (37.5%).

Keywords : nutritional status; food security.

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