Ayer y hoy. Modificaciones en el estatus físico de adultos indígenas de México: el caso de los triquis

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the situation of adults, members of the Triqui ethnic group studied in 2002, where we shall explore the possible changes in the physical status observed over a century.

The data collected in this study was contrasted with studies done at the end of the 19th century and 1940. Height, weight and body mass index averages were calculated according to age and sex and when possible, given the characteristics of the available data, z-scores of these variables employing reference patterns supplied by Frisancho.

It was observed that with the passing of years the height of the Triquis stood very low, undoubtedly due to the surrounding restrictions limiting growth and physical development during their first twenty years. Larger numbers of females of lower height were found and notable was the emergence of over-weight and obesity among males studied in 2002 vis-à-vis those of 1940. In 2002 more over-weight females appeared. The previous situations, coupled with less schooling and greater analphabetism and mono-lingual females translate into gender inequalities.

It is recognized that the physical status of the Triquis has changed over time. However, these have negatively affected their health and due to the circumstances in which their lives have transpired, we are dealing with survivors made vulnerable and therefore, vulnerable.