The Hispanic Culture of MexicoBy: Kate Conger

Jennifer Joyner

Demographics

• Mexico contains 2/3 of overall Hispanic culture

• 3 major subgroups of Hispanic culture

• Mexico

• Puerto Rico

• Cuba

• Majority are Catholic, with an

• Increasing presence of Pentecostals

• Health is a gift from God

• Prevention of Illness is an accepted practice

• Accomplished with prayer

• Wearing of religious medals or amulets

• Keeping relics in the home

• Visiting shrines with offerings and lighting candles

Culture in Mexico: Religion

Culture in Mexico: Health & Medicine

• Individuals turn to family, especially elders, when sick

• Based on Aztec beliefs of balance and supernatural powers

• Balance• 4 Humors

• Blood

• Phlegm

• Black Bile

• Yellow Bile

• Hot and Cold• “Hot” treats “cold”

• “Cold” treats “hot”

• Supernatural Powers• Healers of Mexico

• Curanderas

Culture in Mexico: Health & Medicine

• Quality of Healthcare is comparative to United States

• Most physicians get training in U.S.

• Privatized healthcare for those who can afford it

• Public healthcare subsidized based on employment status

• Preventative care is often neglected

Culture in Mexico: Health & Medicine

• Most Latin Americans see thinness as a problem and plumpness as the ideal

• Hispanic men expect to be waited on in sickness AND in health

Culture in Mexico: Ideas about Healthcare

Health Concerns of Obesity & Type II Diabetes

• # 2 Worldwide in Obesity

• 24%

• 205 McDonalds Restaurants

• Consumption of soda has 60% over 14 yrs

• Leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease

• 10 Mil out of 100 mil (total pop.) has diabetes

• About 67,000 deaths a year

• Diabetes Type II affects 10% of its population in ages over 20. It affects 25-30% in ages over 50.

• Blend of Indian and Spanish

• Major Cooking Methods

• Stovetop

• Stewing

• Frying with fats or oils

• Corn (Maize) is the basis

• Chicken, Pork > Beef

• Seafood common in coastal areas

Culture in Mexico: Diet and Nutritive Sources

• Inexpensive food items• Corns• Rice• Beans • Peppers

• Cheese and eggs round out meal• Foods are high in carbohydrates but NOT

processed carbohydrates• Other items found in Hispanic diet:

• Squash, papaya, pineapple, plantains, sweet potatoes and yams, guava, lime, avocado, Serrano and jalapeño peppers, tomatoes and tomatillos, cilantro, vinegar, garlic, onions, oregano, vanilla, and chocolate

Culture in Mexico: Diet and Nutritive Sources

A Typical Meal

• Desayuno (Breakfast)

• Coffee

• Sweet rolls and/or eggs

• Comida (Lunch)

• Between the hours of 1pm and 3pm

• Largest meal  

• Soup, meat dish, rice, tortillas, coffee, and dessert or fruit

• Cena (Suppper)

• Usually after 9pm and is a light meal

• Soak Maize in lime-water solution• Helps calcium and Niacin to become more bioavailable

• Grinding stones used to prepare the tortillas provide Iron and Zinc

• Beans• B Vitamins

• Magnesium

• Folate

• Fiber

• Tomatoes and Limes

• Vitamin C

• Papaya, Squash, Melon, Mango & Sweet Potatoes• Carotenoids

Nutrition

• Acculturation

• Changing nature of diet

• Fueled by globalization and urbanization

• Increased use of animal products and processed foods

• Large amounts of sugar, refined flour, and hydrogenated fat

• More than twice as likely to drink whole milk, but less likely to drink low-fat or skim milk

• Decline in the intake of whole grains, fruit, and vegetables

• Adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle

So where does the Obesity and Diabetes come from?

• More physical activity• Use healthier methods of

cooking like broiling or baking

• Do not eat past 7pm• Avoid the processed foods• Take heed to preventative

care

What Can Be Done?

• Avoid frescos, drinks made of fruit syrup, water, and sugar

• Drink low-fat or skim milk

• Cook with healthier oils such as corn or vegetable oil

• Increase whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables!

• Portion Control

• Avoid fast foods like McDonalds

• http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/22/world/la-fg-mexico-obesity-20100423

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_Mexico

• http://socyberty.com/religion/cultural-diversity-mexican-beliefs-towards-medicine-and-illness/#ixzz1HdlAwkrN

• Central Americans and Mexicans, Diets of - calcium, food, nutrition, body, diet, health, protein, fat, nutrients, vitamin, amino, acids, water, vitamins, habits, Traditional Dietary Habits http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Ca-De/Central-Americans-and-Mexicans-Diets-of.html#ixzz1HdqYVv15

• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88951.php

• http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_obe-health-obesity

References