Energetic density, diversity of diets and familial income in rural and urban households of Mexico

Objective. To describe changes in sources of energy of diets available in urban and rural households of Mexico from 1992 to 2002, according to levels of energy density (ED) and family income. Methods. Analysis of data from Income and Expenditure Surveys (National Institute of Informatics and Statistics) in representative samples (>10000 households) of urban and rural populations (< 2500 people). Calculation of mean per capita-per day kcal of foods purchased, produced or exchanged during 7 days. Food groups were divided in three levels of DE (raw or cooked foods) (US Agriculture Dept. Tables). Results. Mean percapita kcal of rural households was higher than urban households, and it increased as a function of family income in both cases. Energy available from vegetable oil increased during the period in both strata. Rural diet was less diverse, and tortilla was the main energy source. Urban diet included more energy from low-density foods, such as vegetables, soft-drinks and milk. Dietary diversity was directly associated to family income in both rural and urban households. Conclusions. The dietary changes described are related to urbanization and to the family economic level, and could play apart in the etiology of the epidemic of obesity.