Intra-household distribution of energy and macronutrients in Colombian households

Abstract

Introduction: Knowing the intra-household distribution of dietary intake is useful to establish food policy.

Objective: To estimate the intra-household distribution of energy and macronutrients by kinship in Colombian households.

Material and methods: We applied two recalls of dietary intake for the last 24 hours (R24H) in 1,505 subjects living in 432 households. Usual intake was calculated for each subject, aggregated for each household and calculated the share (%) for each of its members. Participation data was adjusted in linear models for age, gender, body mass index, energy requirement, socioeconomic levels, education and household size.

Results: The head of the household participates on average in 27.4% (95% CI: 26.5 to 28.2) of the total energy, without sex differences or if they contribute to the household income or not. The participation of unrelated subjects was 30.3% (95% CI: 25.3 to 35.3), and 26.0% (95% CI: 22.7to 29.3) of the siblings of the head of the household, which is equivalent to that of the head of the household. By adjusting participation, the grandson becomes important with 29.8% (95% CI: 27.4 to30.9). Men participate more than women (p<0.05). Even in smaller households, participation is lower if the economic level is low and they are receiving food aids (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In the context of the structures of power and authority, the need for a cultural intervention with nutritional purposes to modify the principles of contribution, necessity, equity and demand emerges. Inequality is evident in the distribution.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v33i2.1451