The Kuna Indians have traditionally resided in the San Blas islands on the Caribbean coast of Panama. However, some have begun to migrate to communities on mainland Panama for economic reasons and to obtain a better education for their children. The island-dwelling Kuna have been found to be free of age-related hypertension, making them one of about twenty populations that are apparently free of this disease (Hollenberg 1997). Conversely, Kuna who have migrated to mainland communities may develop hypertension, indicating that certain environmental factors may protect the island-dwelling Kuna from hypertension (Hollenberg 1997). Given the impact of diet on health and, in particular, blood pressure (Appel 1997, Whelton 1997, Kotchen 1998), we sought to examine the differences in dietary patterns and nutritional intake between the island-dwelling and city-dwelling Kuna. The purpose was to identify foods that might be protective for the island dwellers or increase risk of hypertension among the city dwellers. A parallel study examined the chemical composition of foods unique to island-dwelling Kuna (Chevaux 2000, in press). A Kuna-specific food frequency questionnaire was developed and administered to 200 adults from each of three study sites (1 island, 2 urban), along with surveys related to physical activity, stress, and medical and migration history. The food frequency questionnaire is being validated using biomarkers in blood samples taken from study participants. The methodology of the survey design, administration, and validation will be discussed. Issues pertaining to nutritional assessment in indigenous populations and dietary changes associated with island-to-city migration will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the particpants will be able to: 1- Describe the use of food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour recall surveys to characterize diets of specific populations 2- Articulate the procedure for using biomarkers to validate food frequency questionnaires 3- Discuss the changes in dietary patterns in the Kuna indians when they migrate from their traditional island dwelling to urban areas 4- Discuss issues involved in developing deitary assessment tools and methods when wprking with indigenous populations
Keywords: Nutrition, Indigenous Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.