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EATING HABITS IN ADOLESCENTS FROM VALLE DEL CHOTA COMMUNITIES. IMBABURA-ECUADOR, 2019

Abstract:

Background: Eating habits are repetitive unconscious behaviors of a learned pattern, transmitted by generations and integrated into a way of life, which tends to show certain eating patterns (what to eat, quantities and frequency) when faced with a taste for a food or flavor. Learning begins before birth and is marked by early feeding practices and those developed during life. This study determines eating habits in adolescents from the communities of Valle del Chota in Ecuador. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out with a non-probabilistic sample of 383 adolescents ranged between 10 and 19 years old, belonging to communities of the Valle del Chota. Results: 40% consume milk daily; 63% chicken between one and more than four times a week; 33% monthly fish consumption; 7.2% vegetables between two and three times a day; 26% consume fruits daily; 22.7% legumes two to three times a week. A daily consumption of bread, cereals, tubers, oils, sweets and snacks was also detected. Conclusions: Adolescents have high consumption of sugar and sweets (refined carbohydrates) as well as oils, fats, chicken, dairy; while the consumption of greens and vegetables is low.