A Study of the Dietary Background and Nutriture of the Navajo Indian I. Background and Food Production

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Abstract
Reflection on the low recorded incidence of malignant neoplasms among the Navajo indicated that nutrition as an environmental factor might bear on the observations. Accordingly, an evaluation of the nutritional status of a group of Navajos living on the reservation was made during the summer of 1955. The study was designed to supply basic nutritional information concerning the Navajo Indian in the areas around Ganado and Pinon, Arizona. From 7500 individuals in 1868, the Navajo population has increased to in excess of 78,000 despite high rates of infant and pre-school mortality, endemic diseases and indescribable hardships. Among these people educational opportunities and background have been limited. A high rate of illiteracy continues. The earned income of the majority of “The People” has been reported as less than $500 per annum. Agriculture is based on a combination of sheep-goat grazing and cereal production. The home production of fruits and green vegetables is very limited. A comparison of the agricultural trends of the last two decades reflects the intensive program of resource development, a 7-year drought, and the changing economic status of the Navajo. As a result the production and consumption of their basic diet has shifted toward less home-grown grain, fruits, and vegetables. However, meat has remained reasonably stabilized and satisfactory. Two contrasting areas of the reservation were selected for study. One around Ganado reflected considerable influence of the white man's culture and was readily accessible to urban centers, whereas the region around Pinon has had more limited penetration of the white man's culture, and is relatively isolated because of unimproved roads and distant medical facilities. Dietary appraisal, biochemical assessment and physical examinations were performed on 1246 subjects. This sample is adequate to reflect age, sex, locale and gestational trends. However, large areas of the reservation are not included; hence, generalization is not permissible for all areas on the reservation.

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