Cultural factors associated with the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in rural villages of the Municipality of Tacuba, Ahuachapán

Abstract

Malnutrition is a situation that has a great burden on child mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify the cultural factors associated with the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in the municipality of Tacuba, Ahuachapán, El Salvador. The research approach was quantitative, and descriptive, with cross-sectional data collection, a non-experimental approach, and a non-probabilistic sample that included 53 children under 5 years and 44 parents. Socioeconomic and cultural factors were found to have some influence on the phenomenon, with parents having a good level of knowledge about a balanced diet for their children's age. Conclusions: Lack of education or training in nutrition was not an important factor in this group of parents, so the nutrition issues identified are mainly addressed to the scarce availability of some foods, mainly due to the economic level of the individuals.