Nutritional status of Cuban refugees: a field study on the health and nutriture of refugees processed at Opa Locka, Florida.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status of newly arrived Cuban refugees. The protocol consisted of socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, and dietary investigations. A total of 138 refugees was studied at Opa Locka, Fl. The results revealed that 25% of children suffered from malnutrition mostly of the first degree. Second degree malnutrition was rare and cases of third degree malnutrition or infantile kwashiorkor were not found. Obesity was found in 17% of women. Of adults 25% had significantly low adipose tissue stores. Lean body mass was estimated by anthropometry and found to be adequate in 88% of adults. Fifteen percent of adults and 12% of children had anemia. The foods most frequently consumed by the refugees in Cuba were bread, eggs, rice, and garbanzo (chick peas). Fruits and vegetables were not consumed in Cuba daily by the majority of the refugees.