Food habits and nutritional status of agricultural migrant workers in Southern Brazil

Abstract

A new class of migrant workers, commonly known as "Boia-Frias", is rapidly growing in the periurban slumbs (favelas) of Brazil. In 1978 a collaborative study was undertaken to assess the food habits and nutritional status of 100 migrant worker families of Vila Recreio, a typical Boia-Fria settlement near Ribeirao Preto in the state of Sao Paulo. The findings of this survey revealed that the traditional diet of Boia-Frias is nutritionally inadequate both in quality and quantity. Their rice and bean-based diet lacks sufficient variety because of the infrequent use of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are available locally, and of supplemental amounts of protein-rich foods of animal origin. Empty-calorie foods such as carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages are consumed freely; and starchy foods, traditionally used in the North and Northeast of Brazil, are used commonly as weaning foods. Although dietary practices of pregnant and lactating women are poor, breast-feeding is still practiced by most mothers. The biochemical analysis of blood samples did not indicate major subclinical deficiencies except low hematological values and low plasma vitamin A concentrations in about 25% of the population examined. Plasma cholesterol and plasma vitamin E values were found to be normal. However, anthropometric examinations revealed clear signs of malnutrition and/or undernourishment, which likely impairs their capacity for physical work and adversely affects their overall health.

Parasitological characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni infection in swiss mice with underlying malnutrition

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Avaliação do estado nutricional de indivíduos adultos sadios de classe média: ingestão energética e protéica, antropometria, exames bioquímicos do sangue e testes de imunocompetência

“…No presente trabalho, valores médios de peso do corpo, estatura e prega tricipital são geralmente maiores do que os observados em outros estudos brasileiros 6,7,9,13,26,36 . Estas diferenças podem, em parte, tanto ser atribuídas a diferenças regionais como ao nível socioeconômico dos grupos estudados.…”

Consumo alimentar e condições de trabalho no corte manual de cana de açúcar no estado de São Paulo1

“…A study from the 1980s, when cutters were required to cut four tons of cane per day, revealed that the diet of cane cutters in Brazil was quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate (Desai et al, 1980). Chiarello et al (2006) also studied this population and concluded that supplementing diet with electrolyte replacing and protein drinks together with carbohydrate-rich cassava, can help to maintain these workers' health and nutritional state during the harvest.…”