Dietary beliefs, nutritional patterns and nutritional status of urban Aymara women and children

ow income rural populations of less developed countries often move to cities in order to improve their quality of life (Bilsborrow et al 1987; Salisbury and Salisbury 1972; Doughty 1972; Epstein 1972). However, most nutritional studies of these rural to urban migrants reveal poor nutritional status (Thainuea 1990; FAO 1986; Tong 1986; Clark 1980). The purpose of this study was to examine food consumption patterns and nutritional status of one group of rural to urban migrants. The sample includes Aymara women and preschool children of El Alto, a low income periurban area of La Paz, Bolivia. Data was collected from June through August 1989 by home interviews using 24 hour dietary recalls, food frequencies and by anthropometric measurements.;Food patterns are monotonous and lack diversity. Age adjusted mean intakes of protein and vitamin C are adequate for younger women, while the age adjusted mean nutrient intakes of older women are all significantly (p ;According to the Waterlow classification of nutritional status, 55% of children are normally nourished, 42% of children exhibit linear growth stunting, and approximately 2% of children exhibit symptoms of both wasting and of stunting and wasting. Ninety-five percent of women have height z-scores which fall less than 1 standard deviation below the median of the NCHS reference data. Eighty-one percent of women are within plus or minus 1 standard deviation from the NCHS reference weight for height data. Arm circumference z-scores are within plus or minus 1 standard deviation from the NCHS reference median for 39% of children and 55% of women.;Factors accounting for significant (p...