Food habits and culture factors in pregnant adolescents

The purpose of this study was to identify the food habits of pregnant adolescents and their perception about which, of her cultural concepts, have higher influence. 54 subjects between 12 and 19 years old from Guadalajara City were included and socioeconomic, dietetic data, as food frequency consump...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archivos latinoamericanos de nutrición 2008-03, Vol.58 (1), p.19-26
Main Authors: Herrera-Suárez, Claudia Carolina, Vásquez-Garibay, Edgar M, Romero-Velarde, Enrique, Romo-Huerta, Hiliana P, García De Alba García, Javier E, Troyo-Sanromán, Rogelio
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cultural Characteristics
Diet - classification
Diet - ethnology
Diet - statistics & numerical data
Diet Records
Diet Surveys
Feeding Behavior - ethnology
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Mexico
Pregnancy
Pregnancy in Adolescence - ethnology
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to identify the food habits of pregnant adolescents and their perception about which, of her cultural concepts, have higher influence. 54 subjects between 12 and 19 years old from Guadalajara City were included and socioeconomic, dietetic data, as food frequency consumption and cultural concepts about feeding were also explored. Chi square was used for identifying association between variables. The fat intake was lower in late vs. Early and middle stage of adolescence (57 vs. 71 g/d, p = 0.05). The iron, calcium and zinc intake was also deficient in the early/middle stage; meanwhile, the folic acid consumption was very low in the late stage of adolescence. Corn tortillas were the most consumed cereal and food (93-96%); junk food and sodas (62 and 55%) prevailed in the early/middle stage. About local costumes, "tacos", "pozole" and burgers were the most referred (74.1%). They also mentioned that fat (36.7%), junk food (30%), chili (26.7%), sodas (23.3%), processed meals (26.7%) and salt (10%) were harmful. They also believed that vegetables (77%), fruits (60 %), milk (21%), broths (17%), and meat (12.5%) were beneficial; and, 96% considered that chicken and bean broths were nutritious (myth). There were some prohibited foods (taboos) during pregnancy: chili (48%), junk food (20%), and salt (16%). Prejudices were more common among later adolescents (60.9%) (p = 0.03). The erratic food habits and the conceptual confusion of these adolescents cause a low intake of nutrients and place them in a nutritional risk.
ISSN:0004-0622