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Dr. Sheila Cosminsky
and Dr. Diane Markowitz
are collaborating in a research project on nutrition, health
and health care among migrant workers' children 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.
For
more information, please contact either Dr.
Cosminsky or Dr.
Diane Markowitz.
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