La gestación en medio de la inseguridad alimentaria: Percepciones de un grupo de adolescentes embarazadas Translated title: A group of pregnant teenagers' perceptions regarding their pregnancy accompanied by food insecurity

Abstract

Objetivo Describir las percepciones de las adolescentes embarazadas frente a su situación de inseguridad alimentaria en el hogar. Método Se realizó un estudio cualitativo bajo la perspectiva de etnografía focalizada, se entrevistaron 17 adolescentes en tercer trimestre de gestación, inscritas en el programa de control prenatal en la red pública hospitalaria de Medellín, quienes presentaban inseguridad alimentaria. Resultados Algunas adolescentes expresaron que al principio no aceptaron el embarazo, pero sentir al bebé en el vientre se convirtió en un acto de aprobación y de amor del hijo por nacer. Sobresalió la conformación de familias con jefatura femenina y el antecedente de embarazo adolescente de las madres, de las mujeres participantes. Aunque las gestantes reconocieron los alimentos que deben consumir de acuerdo a su periodo fisiológico, sus creencias y preferencias, la difícil situación económica, limita el acceso a los alimentos, lo que hace que los alimentos más valorados, sean los menos consumidos. Conclusiones La pobreza propaga en el hogar la experiencia de la inseguridad alimentaria y el hambre y genera en las futuras madres preocupación por la nutrición del hijo por nacer, sentimientos de intenso dolor, impotencia y desesperanza frente al futuro.

Translated abstract

Objective Describing pregnant adolescents' perceptions regarding food insecurity in their households Method Quantitative methodology involving an ethnographic approach was used; seventeen adolescents in their third trimester of pregnancy were included in the study; they were registered in the Medellin public hospital network's prenatal control program and living in households classified as being food insecure. Results Some adolescents said that initially their pregnancies were unwanted; however, feeling a baby in their wombs became an act of love and became acceptance of their unborn children. Single-parent families headed by women and a background of adolescent pregnancy amongst the participants' mothers were striking findings. Although pregnant adolescents recognized the type of nutrition which should have been consumed according to their physiological period, beliefs and preferences, their financial difficulties and the situation that they lived in limited their access to food, thereby making the most valuable food in nutritional terms become the least consumed by them. Conclusions Poverty spreads the experience of food insecurity and hunger within a household and generates concern in mothers-to-be about the future of their unborn children's nutrition, feelings of intense pain, helplessness and hopelessness concerning the future.