An assessment of the nutritional and health status of an aguaruna jivaro community, amazonas, Peru

Abstract

An evaluation of the nutritional adequacy of the traditional diet of the Aguaruna Jivaro demonstrates the sufficiency and balance of nutrients. Assessment of health status in terms of anthropometric measurements, as indicators of growth, fat stores and muscle development, and clinical examination for detection of signs of frank nutritional deficiencies demonstrate the relative good health of the population. Follow‐up blood tests confirm the positive health picture. Two unanticipated and significant findings resulted from this study: the prevalence of certain parasite infections is high, and the dietary intake is extremely high in bulk and nutrients. That the parasites are so well tolerated is probably due in large measure to the quality and quantity of the Aguaruna diet.