Dr. Diane Markowitz
Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Anthropology
Rowan University
Dr. Sheila Cosminsky
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice
Rutgers University, Camden

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This pilot study is partially funded by the Center for Children and Childhood Studies

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Nutrition, Health and Health Care among Children
of Migrant Workers in South Jersey

.The project uses a biocultural approach based on the collaboration between Dr. Cosminsky, a cultural, nutritional and medical anthropologist, and Dr. Diane Markowitz, a biological anthropologist. The objectives of the project are to: 1) document the nutritional and health status of children of migrant workers, 2) investigate the sociocultural and economic factors that affect that status, 3) examine the knowledge, beliefs and treatment of childhood illnesses, such as diarrheal diseases, respiratory disorders including asthma, and diabetes, and 4) make policy recommendations concerning federally-mandated diets in nutrition programs such as those provided by Headstart. A variety of quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to collect ethnographic data and growth and development data.Analysis and recommendations will be based on: 1) anthropometric measurements on all participating children, including height, weight, body mass index, and skinfold thickness, 2) available medical records, 3) interview with parents about sociocultural and economic factors which may affect health and nutrition - demographic characteristics, living conditions, migration history, access to transportation, stores health facilities, social networks and support systems, 4) reports from focus groups aimed at eliciting migrants' perceptions of nutrition and health problems, 5) 24 hour dietary recall, dietary histories and observations of food prepared and eaten outside of migrant programs and eaten in nutrition programs, such as provided by Headstart and from supplemental food programs such as WIC, 6) interviews with parents about children's illnesses and their treatment, and perceptions and attitudes about obesity.

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