Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Day, R.S., Sanderson, M., Bogle, M.L. 2004. Food And Nutrition Programs And Services. In: Day, R.S., Editor. Nourishing The Future: The Case For Community-Based Nutrition Research In The Lower Rio Grande Valley. Houston, Tx: The University Of Texas School Of Public Health At Houston. P. 109-123.

Technical Abstract: Foremost, the paucity of nutrition programs reported to address the major nutrition-related chronic diseases in the Lower Rio Grande Valley stands out as a major area needing immediate attention. With the Healthy People 2010 goals and the desire of the surgeon general to reduce the prevalence of obesity in America (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000), the lack of attention to this segment of the population calls for action. The predominantly Mexican-American population of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, part of the ever-expanding and ever more diverse Texas family, is at a crossroads and needs attention to reduce the prevalence of obesity, bring down the rates of diabetes, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.