Climate change in food and health in locations of the meseta comiteca at Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To describe the perceptions of health and food related to climate change in the villages of Yalumá and Quistaj located at the Meseta Comiteca, Chiapas. Methodology: Two participatory workshops between 12 and 13 individuals were held in each locality, to know the local perception about health and changes in diet. Health in a broad sense of quality of life and not only the presence of diseases, as well as the problems, solutions and alternatives of community work. Results: It is recognized that community resources, health and food have been affected by climate change. Diabetes and obesity were identified as the main diseases, resulting from feed transformations among generations of grandparents, parents and grandchildren. The traditional feeding practices greens are not consumed at present because they are not in the taste of the youth, greens are not cultivated or are not recognized as food and the food process. Limitations: We do not have information about diagnosis of disease, food security survey, contamination level of water and climate change. Conclusions: The health and food perceptions are of deterioration over time and exacerbation of droughts due to climate change and difficulties of access and water contamination for crop and human consumption. We proposed the community participation in search for alternatives to health and food security.