American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 19, 269-284, Copyright © 1966 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Nutritional Status of People in Isolated Areas of Puerto Rico

Survey of Barrio Naranjo, Moca, Puerto Rico

¹ From the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Division of Nutrition, Department of Health, U. S. Army Tropical Research Medical Laboratory, and Department of Home Economics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

A nutrition survey was carried out in the rural area of Naranjo, Moca, Puerto Rico, during June 21-28, 1963. The survey included the collection of clinical, biochemical and dietary data. A total of 542 subjects were examined clinically. Biochemical tests were performed in 97 per cent of the subjects examined.

The dietary survey included twenty selected families that represented about 25 per cent of the total population, and was carried out using the 24 hour individual weighed intake method. Stools were examined for ova and parasites.

The diet consisted mainly of starchy vegetables, rice, beans, codfish and coffee. It was basically deficient in calories, calcium, iron, vitamin A and riboflavin. The ingestion of protein, thiamine and niacin was adequate. Vitamin C intake was adequate except in infants and old men. The amount of fat in the diet was low and mostly saturated.

There were few clinical signs associated with deficiency diseases. The most revealing clinical finding was retardation of growth as expressed in terms of height and weight for age.

Hematologic studies revealed moderate anemia affecting mainly infants and lactating women. Biochemically a considerable number of subjects had low plasma vitamin A, carotene and vitamin C levels. Plasma protein values were satisfactory.

Urinary excretion rates of thiamine per gram of creatinine were adequate in most subjects. Low excretion rates of N-methylnicotinamide and riboflavin were very common.

Intestinal infestation with helminth parasites was higher than reported in previous surveys.

Several comments and recommendations are made regarding the nutritive value of the diet consumed in this area and of the average rural Puerto Rican diet, the clinical and laboratory findings and the approach to some of the existing nutritional problems.