Analysis and Variables

We initially developed hypotheses that address the causal linkages between natural resource use and health. The links between nutritional status and other ecological, social and economic factors are shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4. From these hypotheses indicators and research variables were identified.

Hypotheses being evaluated:

A more productive ecosystem results in higher nutritional status
Greater diversity of food sources, from the farm and surrounding forests, results in higher nutritional status
Nutritional status will vary between native and colonist communities due to differences in culture and local knowledge of biodiversity and ecological resources
The shift from more subsistence-oriented to commercial production systems does not necessarily result in an increase in nutritional status
The shift to commercial production affects the role of women in the household, their time allocation and involvement in health and nutrition decisions
Nutritional status will vary by age and sex within the household
Nutritional status will vary throughout the year due to seasonal differences in nutrient intake

Project Indicators

Health	Nutrition	Disease	Environment	Natural Resource Use	Socio-Economic
Haemoglobin	Nutrient intake	Infant mortality	Access to water	Production levels (farming; fishing; hunting; gathering; extraction; off-farm)	Time allocation
Female fertility	Nutrient deficiencies	Maternal mortality	Water quality	Diversity of production strategies	Access to health services
Breast-feeding history	Clinical signs of malnutrition	Morbidity	Soil fertility	Diversity of food sources	Access to educational services
	Dietary quality	Prevalence and incidence of parasites	Rainfall and temperature		Access to food
	Dietary diversity	Diarrheal infections	Diversity of surrounding biotas		Non-food expenditures
	Growth and development	Respiratory infections	Hydrological cycle		Wealth index
	Food security				Income level
					Diversity of income sources

PHOTO above: The diversity of fish caught in the River Ucayali: palometa, fasaco, acarahuasú, tucunaré, piraña, and liza.

Analysis and Variables

Hypotheses being evaluated:

Project Indicators

HOME