Globalization, eating and health patterns in the Saraguro adult population settled in the city of Cuenca 2020

Abstract

Introduction: some characteristics of eating and health patterns in adult Saraguro population living in Cuenca are described.

Objective: to analyze the influence of globalization on eating and health patterns of the Saraguro adult population living in Cuenca, 2020.

Methodology: it is a phenomenological qualitative research, whose categories are: globalization, eating and health patterns. The studied population consisted of five people between 20 and 64 years old from Saraguro who are living in Cuenca for at least 5 years and without language difficulties. Additionally, a focus group was in charge of triangulating and validating the information. The data was processed with Atlas.ti version 6.2. Axial coding was carried out to build units of analysis based on the a priori categories and their dimensions were shown in the reports.

Results: the stress and distance from work to home, among others, were identified as factors that influence health conditions. The participants try to maintain their customs such as the use of "anaco" in clothing, the celebration of traditional festivals and their rituals connected with nature; regarding health care, they initially look for ancestral health agents, but they recognize technology and qualified specialists to go in any emergency, such as surgical procedures.

Conclusions: the globalization has an important influence on eating habits and daily customs of the population living in an urban environment, however, the eating patterns of the group under study have not changed significantly. Regarding health in the first instance, care is sought in traditional medicine and, if they need help they look for professionals in Western medicine.