Overweight, obesity, and food consumption in Galapagos, Ecuador: a window on the world.
BACKGROUND
In order to understand why rates of overweight and obesity are so high in the Ecuadorian province of Galapagos, this study analyzes changes in household food expenditures and perceptions and practices related to food consumption patterns. Galapagos is understood as an unusual but not unique case because conditions there graphically illustrate trends observed in communities and countries worldwide. A mixed methods approach was employed: a quantitative component was based on expenditures for foods classified according to the NOVA system, and a qualitative component utilized focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and structured observations.


RESULTS
Galapagos residents increased consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods and decreased consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods. Perceived barriers to healthy diets include price, availability, and quality of fresh produce, as well as easy access to industrialized processed and ultra-processed foods.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in consumption patterns represent both local conditions and global trends; in that sense, the factors that affect Galapagos residents are not unique. Hence, these findings help elucidate processes observed in communities around the world.
['Freire|Wilma B|WB|', 'Waters|William F|WF|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6222-8551', 'Román|Diana|D|', 'Jiménez|Elisa|E|', 'Burgos|Estefania|E|', 'Belmont|Philippe|P|']
D000328:Adult D004032:Diet D004034:Diet Surveys D004484:Ecuador D057140:Fast Foods D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009765:Obesity D050177:Overweight D036301:Qualitative Research D055815:Young Adult
Ecuador Overweight and obesity Mixed methods Diet