Household-level dietary quality indicator for countries in nutritional transition: application to vulnerable communities in El Salvador

Abstract

Objective: To develop a household-level diet quality indicator (HDQI) using the Salvadorian dietary guidelines to assess the dietary quality of households in vulnerable communities in El Salvador. Design: The Salvadorian dietary guidelines were reviewed and eighteen HDQI components were identified (nine foods and nine nutrients). The components were evaluated using a proportional scoring system from 0 to 1, penalizing over-and under-consumption, where appropriate. The HDQI was validated in consultations with experts in El Salvador and by statistical analyses of the study sample data. Dietary variety and energy, nutrient and food intakes were compared among households above and below the median HDQI score using Student's t test. Setting: Vulnerable, border communities in El Salvador. Subjects: Households (n 140) provided food consumption information using an FFQ and sociodemographic data. Results: The mean HDQI score was 63?5, ranging from 43?6 to 90?0. The indicator showed a positive, significant association with the dietary variety components. The statistical associations of the indicator with the energy and nutrient components were as expected. Conclusions: Based on the indicator's demonstrated face validity and the results of the expert consultations, the indicator is suggested as a good measure of diet quality for households in El Salvador.

Dietary patterns and nutritional status of HIV-infected children and adolescents in El Salvador: A cross-sectional study

“…Less than a third of the children consumed vegetables on a daily basis; around half consumed dairy products daily and more than two-thirds consumed unhealthy food items every day, which is in line with the results of the National School Survey conducted in adolescents from 13 to 15 years sampled from the overall population [ 30 ]. Similar results were also found in a study that developed and tested a household-level diet quality indicator to address the nutritional issues in 140 households from vulnerable communities in El Salvador [ 38 ]. Like us, they found excesses in eggs and sugar consumption, while the deficits came from not eating enough fruit, vegetables, meats, and dairy products.…”

Food security measurement in rural households: the case of indigenous communities in Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico

“…In this doctoral thesis, the unit of analysis is the household since the direct observation of food insecurity probably suggests a high degree of vulnerability to a broad spectrum of consequences, including malnutrition in children, socio-familial problems, and overall poor health status. In other words, food scarcity is ultimately experienced at the household level (Kirkland et al 2013;Chinnakali et al 2014;Fuster et al 2014). The analysis provides a methodological assessment of three commonly used indicators of household food security -experience of hunger (ELCSA), dietary diversity (HDDS), and the months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP).…”