Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world
Abstract Background In order to understand why rates of overweight and obesity are so high in the Ecuadorian province of Galapagos, this study analyzes changes in household food expenditures and perceptions and practices related to food consumption patterns. Galapagos is understood as an unusual but...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-09-01
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Series: | Globalization and Health |
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Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-018-0409-y |
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author | Wilma B. Freire William F. Waters Diana Román Elisa Jiménez Estefania Burgos Philippe Belmont |
author_facet | Wilma B. Freire William F. Waters Diana Román Elisa Jiménez Estefania Burgos Philippe Belmont |
author_sort | Wilma B. Freire |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background In order to understand why rates of overweight and obesity are so high in the Ecuadorian province of Galapagos, this study analyzes changes in household food expenditures and perceptions and practices related to food consumption patterns. Galapagos is understood as an unusual but not unique case because conditions there graphically illustrate trends observed in communities and countries worldwide. A mixed methods approach was employed: a quantitative component was based on expenditures for foods classified according to the NOVA system, and a qualitative component utilized focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and structured observations. Results Galapagos residents increased consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods and decreased consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods. Perceived barriers to healthy diets include price, availability, and quality of fresh produce, as well as easy access to industrialized processed and ultra-processed foods. Conclusions Changes in consumption patterns represent both local conditions and global trends; in that sense, the factors that affect Galapagos residents are not unique. Hence, these findings help elucidate processes observed in communities around the world. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:55:27Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-fb248d4c91fb40e68e48125f5e6cae75 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1744-8603 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:55:27Z |
publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
publisher | BMC |
record_format | Article |
series | Globalization and Health |
spelling | doaj.art-fb248d4c91fb40e68e48125f5e6cae752022-12-21T17:44:29ZengBMCGlobalization and Health1744-86032018-09-011411910.1186/s12992-018-0409-yOverweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the worldWilma B. Freire0William F. Waters1Diana Román2Elisa Jiménez3Estefania Burgos4Philippe Belmont5Institute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoInstitute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoInstitute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoInstitute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoInstitute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoInstitute for Research in Health and Nutrition, Universidad San Francisco de QuitoAbstract Background In order to understand why rates of overweight and obesity are so high in the Ecuadorian province of Galapagos, this study analyzes changes in household food expenditures and perceptions and practices related to food consumption patterns. Galapagos is understood as an unusual but not unique case because conditions there graphically illustrate trends observed in communities and countries worldwide. A mixed methods approach was employed: a quantitative component was based on expenditures for foods classified according to the NOVA system, and a qualitative component utilized focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and structured observations. Results Galapagos residents increased consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods and decreased consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods. Perceived barriers to healthy diets include price, availability, and quality of fresh produce, as well as easy access to industrialized processed and ultra-processed foods. Conclusions Changes in consumption patterns represent both local conditions and global trends; in that sense, the factors that affect Galapagos residents are not unique. Hence, these findings help elucidate processes observed in communities around the world.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-018-0409-yDietOverweight and obesityMixed methodsEcuador |
spellingShingle | Wilma B. Freire William F. Waters Diana Román Elisa Jiménez Estefania Burgos Philippe Belmont Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world Globalization and Health Diet Overweight and obesity Mixed methods Ecuador |
title | Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world |
title_full | Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world |
title_fullStr | Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world |
title_full_unstemmed | Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world |
title_short | Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world |
title_sort | overweight obesity and food consumption in galapagos ecuador a window on the world |
topic | Diet Overweight and obesity Mixed methods Ecuador |
url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-018-0409-y |
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