Introduction:

Assessing the nutritional status of the population of Zumbahua, Ecuador, is crucial to understanding their eating habits and health.

Objective:

To evaluate the nutritional status of the population of Zumbahua, Ecuador, using a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire, adapted to the local culture.

Materials and methods:

This study was conducted in three phases between 2019 and 2021 in 20 communities in Zumbahua, Ecuador, using 24-hour recalls and frequency of consumption questionnaires (FFQ) to assess the nutritional intake of the population. Data collection was carried out by local interviewers through personal interviews in homes, and the data were analyzed using a multivariate general linear model. The results were standardized as percentages of the recommended daily intake (% RDA) for the different age and sex groups.

Results:

Observations revealed elevated levels of sodium and iron intake, while nutrients such as vitamin B6, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, potassium, fibre, calcium, magnesium and manganese exhibited substantial deficits. The study revealed a significant impact of gender on the intake of several nutrients, with women demonstrating higher intake in percentage terms, with the exception of iron and, to a lesser extent, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Conversely, younger subjects exhibited comparatively higher intake levels, while geographical location exerted a lesser influence.

Conclusions:

This study reveals that specific nutritional policies are needed and the combination of a 24-h reminder along with the consumption frequency survey is suggested for future studies in hard-to-reach populations.