included 24-hour food recalls, infant feeding practices, women's food preferences and frequency of food intake. Anthropometry consisted of weight, height, mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), and triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness measurements in women and children, with additional head circumference measurements in children less than 3 years. Major findings from dietary assessment revealed that adult diets were simplistic, consisting primarily of rice, beans, and coffee (with sugar). Analysis of nutrient intake and comparison with international standards showed that women were probably at high risk for vitamin A, iron, calcium, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin deficiencies; children appeared at high risk for vitamin A, iron, and ascorbic acid deficiencies. Infant feeding practices indicated that all children (under 5 years) had been breast fed at birth, although many were weaned at an early age. Negative nutritional infant feeding practices were reported, especially for conditions such as fever and diarrhoea. Belief in the "hot/cold" food classification system was reported by women. Although food taboos were reported for menstruation, pregnancy, immediately post partum, and lactation, relatively few taboos had potentially negative nutritional consequences. Anthropometric assessment indicated that a significant number of women were probably undernourished; a small percentage of women, however, were overweight or obese. Children did not generally appear undernourished; many, however, were stunted in growth. Summative evaluation of the nutrition education program indicated that for women who participated in the program, nutrition knowledge scores showed improvement and were statistically significant at ∝ =.05, using Wilcoxon signed rank test. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

With the urbanization phenomenon, a population of unskilled migrant workers commonly known as Boia- Frias has rapidly grown up in slums on the peripheries of Brazilian cities. This study was carried put to assess the food habits and nutritional status of 100 Boia-Fria families of Vila Recreio, a slum area on the edge of Ribeirao Preto, S.P., Brazil, using dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical investigations. Qualitatively, the Boia-Fria diet was monotonous and simple, consisting basically of polished rice, beans, white bread, and coffee with sugar. In general, the foods which were lacking were: milk products, meats, fish, eggs, poultry, non-refined grain products, and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C. Foods of low nutritional value such as starchy gruels, sugar-water, herb tea, coffee with sugar and soft drinks were commonly used as weaning foods. Although dietary practices of pregnant and lactating women were poor, breastfeeding was still practiced by most mothers. According to 24-hour dietary recall data, conditions existed which were conducive to the development of nutritional problems, especially with respect to calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and iron, of the nutrients tested and with respect to quantitative intake of food. Biochemical data confirmed the presence of early malnutrition, pre-clinical in nature for about 257o of the population with respect to vitamin A, carotene, and iron. Plasma cholesterol, total lipid and vitamin E values were found to be normal. Anthropometric examinations revealed clear signs of clinical undernutrition among men and women as well as some degree of obesity among women. Child mortality data provided evidence of some advanced clinical malnutrition among children. Basic causes of malnutrition among the Boia-Frias included the following ecological factors: recent urbanization; housing, sanitation, and environmental conditions, associated with serious infection problems; poverty; illiteracy; and an ignorance of what constitutes good nutrition. Recommendations for intervention and "long-range" nutrition programs to minimize the harsh effects of poverty and upheaval on these migrant workers of Brazil were suggested. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate