298 Universitas Scientiarum, 2008, Vol. 13 N° 3, 298-305 Caracterización de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional de la población del Verjón Bajo, localidad de Chapinero, Bogotá, D.C.

298 Universitas Scientiarum, 2008, Vol. 13 N° 3, 298-305 Caracterización de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional de la población del Verjón Bajo, localidad de Chapinero, Bogotá, D.C.

Martha Liévano-Fiesco, Luisa Tobar-Vargas

Characterization of the nutritional and food security of the population of Verjón Bajo, Chapinero, Bogotá, D.C. The purpose ofthis study was to characterize the alimentary and nutritional status of families at Vereda El Verjón Bajo, in the Chapinero district of Bogotá.The research conducted was an observational, transversal and descriptive study, which included 23 families. The data collection wasperformed using a food survey. The components analyzed were: socio-demographic characteristics, consumption, availability, use andsafety of food. Results show that average families are composed of 4.5 members and that monthly allocation of money for buying food isof COP $161.875.oo. Food groups preferred by families are cereals (60.9%), tubers (56.5%), and vegetables (47.8%). In regards toavailability we found that only 39.1% of the families own a home garden in their backyards to produce food for their consumption. Familiesdo not suppress consumption of any food in particular when suffering of diarrhea (82.6%), influenza (65.6%) or vomit (73.9%). In regardsto the nutritional status of children under the age of 5 (n=9), they exhibit deficits according to indicators weight/age (77.78%), height/age(88.8%) and weight/height (37.5%).

2008

Nutritional status, food security

Universitas Scientiarum

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Science (General)