A nutritional assessments of indigenous families in Baja California, Mexico

The purpose of this project was to assess the nutritional practices of indigenous women and their children living in San Quintin, BC Mexico. This project was undertaken to explore dietary patterns related to health outcomes in this community. Previous community health screening showed that anemia rates among women and stunting among children are very high. As part of the VIIDAI program, women and children's dietary intake were collected. High starch foods were the most common food types eaten by women. Also, 20% of children ate only one serving of vegetables and 32% ate one serving of meat per day. Nearly 80% of the women and children ate beans at least once a week and 18% ate beans daily. All of the women reported eating eggs once a week. The most commonly eaten fruits and vegetables by women were tomatoes, onions and chili (primarily in salsa). Environmental qualitative assessments indicated that fruits and vegetables were accessible in the stores, but the range of choices were narrow and their quality was low. These results will inform follow-up assessments of the quality, composition and access of foods of this communities' diet. There are several projects underway to address these food deficiencies. This study will inform the development of a ‘Rotary' funded lunch program in an elementary school of the community which serves the majority of the children. In addition, these findings and future results will be shared with indigenous leaders of the community to promote access to quality to food and health promotion activities.