‘Desculturización,’ urbanization, and nutrition transition among urban Kichwas Indigenous communities residing in the Andes highlands of Ecuador

V. A. Chee, E. Teran, I. Hernandez, L. Wright, R. Izurieta, M. Reina-Ortiz, M. Flores, S. Bejarano, L. U. Dào, J. Baldwin, D. Martinez-Tyson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The nutrition transition continues to affect populations throughout the world. The added impact of market integration and urbanization exacerbates the impact of the nutrition transition upon Indigenous populations worldwide. Objectives: This study aims to explore the nutritional concerns of the urban Kichwas community residing in the Andes highlands of Ecuador. Study design: This is a qualitative study. Methods: Eight focus groups were conducted with Kichwas men and women in November 2015 in the Imbabura province of the Andes in Ecuador. Data analysis: Applied thematic analysis was used to analyze findings regarding nutrition. Results: The participants shared concerns regarding increased intake of fast food, poor meal timing, and a shift in the child's food preferences that rejects traditional foods. They attributed these concerns to urbanization resulting from an increase in dual-income households and a loss of cultural identity. Conclusions: Synergistic cultural factors are related to nutritional concerns voiced by the urban Kichwas community. Public health implications: Syndemic theory is a useful interpretive lens regarding nutritional trends within the Kichwas communities as they relate to the increased risk of chronic disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21-28
Number of pages8
JournalPublic Health
Volume176
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2019

Keywords

  • Andes highlands
  • Desculturización
  • Indigenous communities
  • Kichwas
  • Market Integration among Indigenous
  • Nutrition transition
  • Syndemic theory
  • Urbanization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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