Creencias y prácticas alimentarias de padres y o cuidadores de niños y niñas con discapacidad intelectual que acuden al Instituto Piloto de Integración del Azuay del Cantón Cuenca en el periodo 2022

Abstract

Background: Globalization, urbanization, inequalities, are factors that are producing negative changes in the food situation of children, as well as the beliefs and food practices of parents and/or caregivers of children in a state of dependency and/or with disabilities, which will influence their normal growth and development. Objective: To identify the dietary beliefs and practices of parents and/or caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities who attend the Instituto Piloto de Integración del Azuay del Cantón Cuenca 2022. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted. The sample, by snowball, was constituted by parents and/or caregivers of children attending the Instituto Piloto de Integración del Azuay. Direct surveys were conducted and transcribed in Word format. With the help of Atlas Ti software, codes and quotations were made for the subsequent interpretation and writing of results. Results: Participants' beliefs and knowledge identified in the discourses determined practices around balanced eating, appropriate food storage, and appropriate personal and utensil hygiene. The functional needs of chewing and swallowing of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities were considered. Heterogeneity was observed in the subjects' participation in food preparation, food assistance, feeding schedule and use of feeding instruments. Conclusions: Appropriate feeding and hygiene behaviors were identified and practices coincided with beliefs and knowledge that were transmitted from previous generations.