“Estado nutricional y nivel de seguridad alimentaria de los habitantes de la parroquia Turi. Noviembre 2022 – Marzo 2023”

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered severe consequences for food security and nutrition, limiting access to food for many families, not only because of confinements but also because of the significant world monetary slowdown, causing effects on the population's nutritional status. Objective: To identify the nutritional status and food security level of Turi parish inhabitants aged 20 - 55 from November 2022 to March 2023. Methodology and instruments: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study; 400 inhabitants were selected by probabilistic sampling. The Food Security Experience Scale (FIES) was applied. The anthropometric assessment was conducted to determine the nutritional status by recording weight and height and calculating the Body Mass Index. Results: Concerning the post-COVID-19 pandemic food security of the study population, it was demonstrated that 15% live in severe food insecurity, and when assessing the nutritional status, malnutrition due to overweight was observed in 25% and a deficit in 21%. Conclusions: The results revealed that the inhabitants of Turi parish had an unbalanced diet. This research will contribute to developing intervention strategies to improve Turi's inhabitants' quality of life and nutritional status