Nutritional status of people in isolated areas of Puerto Rico. Survey of Barrio Masas 2, Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Fernández, N.A.; Burgos, J.C.; Roberts, L.J.; Asenjo, C.F.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 59(12): 503-514
1967
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 PMID: 5257811 Document Number: 700080
This paper describes the results of a nutritional survey lasting for one week in February, 1965, in a rural area in the north-east of Puerto Rico. 307 people (97% of the population) were examined clinically; 305 received biochemical tests and a dietary study of 15 selected families obtained 24-hour individual weighed intakes from 77 people. Tables give the results of a census of socio-economic conditions and full details of the various investigations by age and sex are given annually for the first 2 years, thereafter at 5-yearly intervals through adolescence and at 20-year intervals in adults. The investigations recorded are: food consumption; average daily intakes of energy and important nutrients; clinical signs; anthropometry including arm skinfold and blood pressure; haemoglobin and haematocrit; total plasma proteins and plasma albumin; plasma vitamin A and carotene; urinary excretion of thiamine, riboflavine and N-methyl-nicotinamide, and intestinal parasites. Calorie intake was low, particularly in school-children and adolescents and there was considerable retardation in growth after the age of one year. There were clinical signs of hypovitaminosis A with low vitamin A intakes and low plasma values, and there were low intakes of riboflavine and calcium. Hypochromic anaemia was prevalent with a high incidence during infancy.