‘Desculturización,’ urbanization, and nutrition transition among urban Kichwas Indigenous communities residing in the Andes highlands of Ecuador

Background The nutrition transition continues to affect populations throughout the world. The added impact of market integration and urbanization exacerbates the impact of the nutrition transition upon Indigenous populations worldwide. Objectives This study aims to explore the nutritional concerns of the urban Kichwas community residing in the Andes highlands of Ecuador. Study design This is a qualitative study. Methods Eight focus groups were conducted with Kichwas men and women in November 2015 in the Imbabura province of the Andes in Ecuador. Data analysis Applied thematic analysis was used to analyze findings regarding nutrition. Results The participants shared concerns regarding increased intake of fast food, poor meal timing, and a shift in the child's food preferences that rejects traditional foods. They attributed these concerns to urbanization resulting from an increase in dual-income households and a loss of cultural identity. Conclusions Synergistic cultural factors are related to nutritional concerns voiced by the urban Kichwas community. Public health implications Syndemic theory is a useful interpretive lens regarding nutritional trends within the Kichwas communities as they relate to the increased risk of chronic disease.