Food consumption frequency and nutritional status in rural Yaguajay Cuban women

Authors

Keywords:

Anthropometry; diet, food and nutrition; eating; nutritional status; body mass index; rural population; adiposity; dietary carbohydrates; risk factors; women's health

Abstract

Background: Healthy feeding and adequate nutritional status are key determinants in life quality because they have an impact on the health of individuals and are essential elements to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

Objective: To describe the food consumption frequency and nutritional status of rural women in the Cuban community of La Picadora in order to identify possible health risk factors.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2025 in 20 women aged 24 to 61 years, selected by means of purposive sampling. A weekly validated questionnaire on the frequency of consumption of 20 foods was applied. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was classified according to WHO criteria. Body fat percentage was estimated by means of bioimpedance with the InBody H20N scale.

Results: 95% of the participants consumed rice every day and 75% consumed bread and cookies. Consumption of chicken and pork was more frequent than fish. Milk was the most consumed dairy product. 65% used vegetable fat daily and 70% consumed industrial soft drinks with high frequency. The average BMI was 27.42 kg/m², with global overweight in 55% of the sample. The average body fat percentage was 34.85%, with excessive adiposity in 75%.

Conclusions: The high consumption of carbohydrates, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods with lower nutritional value, as well as the high prevalence of overweight and obesity constitute risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases in the studied sample.

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References

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Published

2025-07-16

How to Cite

1.
Vázquez Sánchez V, Rangel Rivero A, Aroche Peñate LM, Rodríguez Denis C, Valdés Massó D. Food consumption frequency and nutritional status in rural Yaguajay Cuban women. Gac méd espirit [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 16 [cited 2025 Nov. 7];27. Available from: https://revgmespirituana.sld.cu/index.php/gme/article/view/2697

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Section

RESEARCH ARTICLES (Original)