Demographic and socioeconomic determinants of variation in food and nutrient intake in an Andean community

Abstract

Understanding the sources of variation in a community's diet is vital for development work, as well as being a source of anthropological and cultural insights. Previous surveys in the South American Andes suggest that nutrient deficiencies may be widespread; however, such interpretations have remained tentative since variance in Andean populations' diet has not been thoroughly examined. In this paper we consider the variation in diet due to variation in age, sex, and socioeconomic status and variation attributed to inter- and intraindividual variation in the diet. One to six days of dietary data (mean = 3.1) were collected via 24 h recalls from 221 residents of a small, rural community in highland Ecuador. The contribution of various food groups to the diet varied with land holdings and age but not sex. For example, animal-derived foods contribute more and tubers contribute less to the diet of the households with > or = 5 Ha, and sweets contribute more to the diet of children. The interindividual variation in energy and nutrient intake was low and the intraindividual variation high relative to developed countries. The consequence are twofold. First, because interindividual variability is low, group mean intake can be estimated relatively easily, facilitating group comparisons. Second, because intraindividual variation is high, individual nutrient intake cannot be easily estimated, which will decrease the ability to detect associations between nutrient intake and health measures. This knowledge of the sources of dietary variation can lead to better study and survey designs in the rural Andes and elsewhere in the developing world.

Water from fruit or the river? Examining hydration strategies and gastrointestinal illness among Tsimane’ adults in the Bolivian Amazon

“…In Germany, a recent nutritional survey demonstrated lower average total water intake values (men 2·5 litres daily, women 2·1 litres daily) but that food sources were a more important source of water (~29 % of water intake) (26) . Finally, in highland Ecuador, Berti and Leonard (27) found comparable daily water intake levels (men 2·6 litres, women 2·4 litres), but a still greater proportion of water coming from food sources (~35 % from tubers, grains and fruits/vegetables,~65 % from water and milk). Overall, existing nutrition surveys demonstrate that water intake levels are within ranges recommended by the IOM and ESFA but that variation exists in hydration strategies, with a range of~81 % of water coming from liquids in the USA to~65 % in highland Ecuador.…”

Making Sense of Agrobiodiversity, Diet, and Intensification of Smallholder Family Farming in the Highland Andes of Ecuador

“…Maternal 24-hour recalls of child diets have been validated in other settings (Dop, Milan, and N'Diaye 1994;Klesges et al 1987). The standard 24-hour recall method was adapted for the situation common in the rural Andes, where most meals are served from a common pot of homogenous ingredients (Berti and Leonard 1998). For foods served from a common pot (e.g., soup and rice), the quantity of each ingredient in the pot as recalled by the respondent was recorded.…”

How Well do Foragers Protect Food Consumption? Panel Evidence from a Native Amazonian Society in Bolivia

“…Our results mesh with results from the nearby Peruvian Andes. There researchers found that mothers reallocated food to children during lean times, thus reducing variability in nutritional status among children, but not among adults (Berti and Leonard, 1998;Leonard, 1991aLeonard, , 1991bLeonard and Thomas, 1989).…”