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El Niño Southern Oscillation Affects Food Consumption, Intake, and Dietary Diversity In The Peruvian Amazon
Author(s) -
Ambikapathi Ramya,
Kosek Margaret,
Yori Pablo Peñataro,
Olortegui Maribel Paredes,
Zaitchik Benjamin,
Lee Gwenyth O.,
Bauck Aubrey,
Caulfield Laura
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.455.2
Subject(s) - amazon rainforest , geography , riparian zone , sugar , fish <actinopterygii> , consumption (sociology) , environmental science , biology , food science , ecology , fishery , habitat , sociology , social science
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events not only affect precipitation and temperature patterns in Peru, they also affect river discharge in the region. River discharge levels have cascade effects on the economy and the nutritional status in the Peruvian Amazon because the riparian communities in this region rely on the river for food (fish), transportation, and trade (natural products, grains, and other commodities). The aim of this study is to examine the impact of ENSO exposure on the: (1) frequency of consumption of specific foods, (2) amounts of the foods consumed (g/day), and (3) dietary diversity of children 9–36 months of age located in the Santa Clara community in the Peruvian Amazon. Overall, 5714 dietary recalls were collected from 252 children from 2010 to 2014, when there is exposures to both El Niño and La Niña. There was reduced frequency of meals and snacks containing fish, and plantains by 24–48% even after adjusting for covariates. In weak La Niña, there was increased frequency of meals and snacks containing meat, poultry, and plantains. However, with increasing severity of La Niña, the effects were reversed, and a reduction in intake of foods containing grains, poultry, dairy, rice and sugar. Girls had different consumption patterns associated with various ENSO events. Under a moderate El Niño, the amount of fish consumed was reduced by 19 g/d. Under a weak La Niña sugar intake increased by 6 g/d among boys but decreased for girls, suggesting differences in consumption patterns by gender. Despite seasonal fluctuations in the availability of fruits, vegetables and fish in this community, dietary diversity (DD) remained constant as children aged. However, there were marginal increase in DD under La Niña, but not for girls. Girls, did, however have higher DD than boys. This is the first study to show the differential effect of ENSO events on the food consumption patterns of children, and potential differences by gender. Climate sensitive triggers may be needed in nutrition programs to intervene and ameliorate the effects of ENSO events on food consumption patterns. Support or Funding Information This study was supported by FNIH through grants from BMGF, and support from IGERT and E 2 SHI.Seasonal dietary patterns of children 9–36 month by El Nino Southern Oscillation exposure