187010 A nutritional assessments of indigenous families in Baja California, Mexico

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 9:21 AM

Jason D. Daniel, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Barbara Baquero, PhD, MPH , Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Noe Crespo, PhD, MPH, MS , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Elva M. Arredondo, PhD , School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
John P. Elder, PhD, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Elizabeth K.G. Bothwell, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
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.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the development of nutrition surveys for indigenous populations living in Mexico. Describe the dietary composition of an indigenous community in San Quintin, BC Mexico.

Keywords: International Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a doctoral student with many years of experience in survey development and study coordinator.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.