Cross-sectional study on nutritional status and dietary intake in adults and older adults beneficiaries of a food bank in Chile

Ximena Rodríguez Palleres; Fancy Rojas González; Sebastián A. Correa; Mario Castillo Ruiz; Juan Manuel Castagnini

doi:10.12873/452rodriguez

Autores/as

Ximena Rodriguez Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins
Fancy Rojas González Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile.
Sebastián A. Correa Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins. Santiago, Chile.
Mario Castillo Ruiz Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins. Santiago, Chile.
Juan Manuel Castagnini Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12873/452rodriguez

Palabras clave:

Food bank, food insecurity, dietary intake, nutritional assessment, body composition

Resumen

Background: Food loss and waste are a threat to the environment, causing loss of biodiversity and excessive consumption of natural resources such as land, energy, fuel, water, and fertilizers. In addition, there are nutritional losses associated with food waste, such as fruits and vegetables. Among the intermediate hierarchizing actions of the circular economy model are food banks, which reuse surplus food that is suitable for human consumption.

Objective: Evaluate the nutritional status and dietary intake of adults and older adult beneficiaries of a food bank in Chile.

Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 94 beneficiaries of a food bank in Santiago, Chile. Nutritional status was determined through anthropometric measurements and the 24-hour recall, as well as muscle strength using a dynamometer. Statistical analysis included the student t test, comparing groups by sex and place of residence, with a significance level of 5% (p-value <0.05).

Results: In the older adults evaluated, the dietary intake was: Calories: 1677.1 kcal, carbohydrates: 133.3 grams, proteins: 207.7 grams, lipids: 45.2 grams, fiber: 27.5 grams, vitamin A: 566.8 μg/d, vitamin C: 118.8 mg, vitamin E: 13.5 mg, sodium: 1850.5 mg and potassium: 2090.6 grams. 34.6% were overweight and 25% obese. For adults, the dietary intake was: Calories: 2015.5 kcal, carbohydrates: 345.1 grams, proteins: 64.7 grams, lipids: 55.0 grams, fiber: 22.9 grams, vitamin: A: 89.1 μg/d, vitamin C: 106.8 mg, vitamin E: 80.2 mg, sodium: 2053.2 mg and potassium: 1241.5 mg. 45.2% were overweight and 19% obese.

Conclusion: High prevalence of malnutrition due to overeating, so food banks must focus on providing food that meets the optimal nutritional quality for a healthy and balanced diet.

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