Prácticas alimentarias de los padres de niños de 5 a 10 años e inseguridad alimentaria en sus hogares durante el COVID – 19 en la ciudad de Cuenca. 2021

Background: Several studies conducted worldwide evaluated through various methods the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behavior; such studies have been conducted both at continental, international and national scales showing in each scenario changes in people's eating behaviors or behaviors, either for better or worse. Objective: To identify changes in the dietary practices of parents of children aged 5 to 10 years and food insecurity in their homes during COVID-19 in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador 2021. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out, with a sample of 385 parents of children from 5 to 10 years of age from public and private educational institutions in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Data collection was done through virtual surveys with previously elaborated and validated questions. Results: In the present study, a total of 152 responses were collected; After the total selection process, a total of 126 were worked on; the highest percentage of participants were female (69%). The average age of the participating parents was 35 years, all of them with one or more children between 5 and 10 years of age. Conclusion: The dietary practices of parents with respect to the frequency of consumption of food groups was slightly modified during COVID-19 confinement, with healthy food groups such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains being those that the population opted for a lower consumption. In terms of food insecurity, the results found were very alarming, as more than 98% presented some degree of food insecurity, whether mild, moderate or severe, during COVID-19.