title: Nutrition and physical activity transitions in the Ecuadorian Andes: Differences among urban and rural-dwelling women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The nutrition and physical activity transitions, characterized by increased consumption of high energy density foods and more sedentary lifestyles, are associated with increased obesity and hypertension in Ecuador. These transitions have been characterized primarily in urban areas, which may neglect variation in specific rural areas of Ecuador. Therefore we examined the extent of the differences in dietary and activity patterns, obesity prevalence, and blood pressure (BP) in urban and rural-dwelling women in the Ecuadorian central highlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban-dwelling women (UW, n = 198, mean age = 44 years) from three areas of a city of 250,000 residents and rural women (RW; n = 202, mean age = 47 years) from three remote communities in the same province (Chimborazo) were randomly selected and surveyed for dietary and activity practices, BP, and anthropometrics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety percent of UW reported obtaining their food primarily from markets while 65% of RW women obtained their food primarily from their own cultivation. Cookies, cakes, candies, ice cream, and French fries were consumed more frequently by UW. RW reported lower consumption of beef, poultry, and chicken, as well as fruits, milk, and white rice. UW compared to RW women spent less time walking and in strenuous work activities. Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) (UW = 18.7% vs RW = 9.2%) and hypertension (UW = 15.7%, RW= 3.0%) were more common in UW. Average systolic and diastolic BP was significantly higher in UW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nutrition and physical activity transitions appear more evident in urban- compared to rural-dwelling women, and are associated with more obesity and higher BP.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Cumbaya, Ecuador.|Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.|Colorado School of Public Health at, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Melby
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Cumbaya, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Fadya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orozco
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muquinche
authors.affiliation: Colorado School of Public Health at, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padro
authors.affiliation: Visor Análisis Estadístico Cía. Ltda, Quito, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Fabian N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Munoz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000531:Altitude; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult