Abstract

MACEIRA, Daniel  and  STECHINA, Mariana. Food policy interventions during 25 years of democracy in Argentina. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2011, vol.37, n.1. ISSN 0864-3466.

Introduction According to the last Argentinean National Survey of Nutrition and Health (2005) held by the Health Ministry, low weight and chronic undernourishment are the most important nutritional problems in the country. Besides, obesity emerges as a growing problem affecting the Argentinian regions whereas, anemia (iron deficit) in under 2-years-old children is still far from being considered under control. Objective To analyze the evolution of the public strategy for the design and implementation of nutritional programs aimed at improving the nutritional condition of population in Argentina. Methods The national nutritional programs implemented in the last two decades were reviewed, followed by the analysis of the geographic and population focalization, the goods and services offered, and organization modality. Results After 25 years of food interventions, the nutritional deficiencies are yet to be solved. One of the main challenges was to identify the effective mechanisms that allowed transferring capacities to the beneficiaries, regardless of the duration of the programs. Conclusions Feeding should be taken into account by the decision makers as one of the main health indicators. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the involvement of the public health area in the food policy interventions, so that these can be directed toward preventing health deterioration and improving the quality of life of the population.

Keywords : Health; nutrition; nutritional programs; Argentina.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )