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Ethnic and acculturation differences in food consumption of the araucania region of Chile

Abstract:

In order to detect differences in consumption habits according to ethnic background and degree of acculturation in mapuche people, a survey with a sample of 400 people, stratified by ethnicity, was performed in the city of Temuco, Araucania Region. Taking the food groups covered by the Family Budget Survey in consideration, the monthly amount spend is lower in mapuche households compared to non/mapuche. Differences were observed in the consumption frequency of milk, cheese, eggs and herbal tea according to ethnicity. However, ethnic origin is strongly associated only with the consumption of herbal tea. The degree of acculturation did not reveal any differences in the consumption frequency of these foods, but acculturation is strongly associated with the consumption of fish and seafood, herbal tea and soft drinks. The degree of acculturation is also strongly associated with the consumption of foods traditional to the ethnic group; bicultural mapuches have higher probability of consuming traditional foods than acculturated mapuches.