Nutritional knowledge assessment in a diverse population in Brazil-A Pilot study

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

5041.0: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - Board 8

Abstract #40383

Siglia Diniz-Piraino, MD, MPH, Clinical Department, 11095 Torreyana Road, San Diego, CA 92121, 858 638-3886, sigliadiniz@yahoo.com, Monica Karl-Mascarenhas, RD, MS, Nutrition Department, TCU - Medical center, SAFS Quadra 4 Lote 1 - Edificio Sede do TCU, Brasilia, DF, 70042-900, Brazil, and Yi Xu, PhD, Clinical Department, PGRD, 11095 Torreyana Road, San Diego, CA 92121.

In Brazil, nutritional disorders are related to the majority of the causes of preventable death in children and adults. Sustaining this bleak reality is the lack of awareness of the importance of a balanced and healthy diet as well as the lack of adequate resources. These factors must be taken into account whenever a nutritional project is designed. The objective of this paper is to outline the overall knowledge of a diverse adult population in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, about the main groups of nutrients and their correlation with select diseases and general well-being. Study results will be used to better address the needs of patients who live in Brasilia in the design of a new educational program in nutrition to be implemented throughout the year at TCU, a multi-specialty medical center. Brasilia is a 40-year old city, and is characterized by a diverse population that migrated in masses from various areas of Brazil during the 1960's. Since this population is so diverse general perceptions of nutrition and health, as expressed in the questionnaires, may reflect a mixture of viewpoints representative of each region from where people have their origins. Validated questionnaires are being given to subjects who have been attended to at TCU and data are collected and managed by members of its department of nutrition. The methodology of the survey design, its application and validation methods will be discussed. This study is a pilot initiative in Brasilia and it should be completed by August 2002.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1- Recognize both the factors that influence the overall nutritional knowledge in a diverse population in Brazil, and the way nutrition programs may be impacted by these factors.
2- Acknowledge a pilot approach for the design of a nutritional program in Brazil and its importance to the community.
3- Articulate the role of people’s origins on their perceptions of nutrition and health in a diverse city primarily occupied by migrants from various areas of Brazil.

Keywords: Latin American, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

IH Posters V

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA