Abstract

VASQUEZ-GARIBAY, Edgar M.; ALVAREZ-TREVINO, Lucía; ROMERO-VELARDE, Enrique  and  LARROSA-HARO, Alfredo. Importance of the nutrition transition in maternal and child population: Part II. Experiences in Latin America and other regions. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2009, vol.66, n.2, pp.124-131. ISSN 1665-1146.

The nutritional situation in Latin America has evolved toward different stages of transition expressing in consequence differences in the prevalence of nutritional disorders. The following aspects are noteworthy: a) Increase in energy intake in most Latin-American countries; b) Increase in the proportion of fat in the energy intake; c) Increase in sedentary activity due to the use of favoring technologies; d) Decrease of food insecurity due to a lesser population living in conditions of poverty or indigence; e) Persistence of social inequalities in many countries. The main dietetic changes include an increase of fat and sugar intake, and a significant increase in the consumption of processed food of animal sources, as well as a fall in cereal and fiber consumption. These variations reflect a change to a western diet characterized by a high-fat consumption which comprises up to 30% of the total energy intake. The evidences aim to a situation where change speed in diet structure and activity are so important that the double load of a diet with high energy density and a low physical activity will be present mainly in the low socioeconomic status population.

Keywords : Nutrition transition; mothers; child; Latin America.

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