The production of this monograph is a milestone for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative. This first product of the consortium marks the culmination of over two years of volunteer work by the partners of 11 academic institutions and governmental agencies who have regularly traveled to planning and visioning meetings in the valley, communicated by e-mail, participated in seminars, supported the nutrition program survey, and written segments of this monograph—all because they believed in the common mission:

It is a rewarding experience to have participated in this process and to have been able to help guide the development of this monograph with our assiduous U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service partners, Drs. Chuck Onstad and Margaret Bogle. The credentials of these leaders bring attention and scholarly credibility to the consortium efforts. I feel certain their vision will culminate in improvements to the nutritional status of the Lower Rio Grande Valley residents. Each member of the consortium has given individually to help bring the group to this point. I appreciate the members' dedication and thank each for supporting the development of this monograph. The consortium gratefully acknowledges the USDA Agricultural Research Service for the financial support to conduct the survey reported in chapter 7 and to produce this monograph.

I gratefully acknowledge the editorial services of Beth W. Allen who has been central to the success of the monograph from both a technical and inspirational standpoint. Her knowledge and genuine spirit to support this initiative are reflected in her insightful commentary and creative additions to the monograph. I gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Janice Campbell, our graphic designer, who captured our vision and made it a reality. I thank photographer Scott Bauer for the creative use of his camera lens to capture glimpses of life in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that make our words come to life for the reader. Two graduate students, Julie Contreras Garza and Dalia Lovera, are recognized for their tireless survey data collection throughout the valley. I thank Helena VonVille, director of The University of Texas School of Public Health Library, who provided endless reference information and technical assistance to the monograph contributors. Last, I thank the staff of the Human Nutrition Center who continually support my research activities and never cease to amaze me with their loyalty and talent.

The consortium attempted to capture a cross section of the valley, in pictures, stories, and data, and to introduce the reader to the nutrition-related health disparities of the people, amid the joys, sorrows, and realities of this rapidly growing region of Texas. The partnership has been working for two years to organize and address the valley Mexican Americans' needs in both a scholarly and thoughtful manner. However, we have just begun our mission to bring improved nutrition to the valley and, with that, reduced health disparities for the Mexican Americans who inhabit this region. We cannot begin a task such as this without first looking at where we are now—to allow us to have a benchmark for future reference to measure success. We have established a diverse team of local academic and government partners, eager to bring research and intervention to the people to reduce future health burdens and the economic consequences of these nutrition-related conditions through an organized research, prevention, and intervention program.

The monograph introduces the reader to the Mexican-American people and the environment of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in a series of chapters. Drs. Onstad and Bogle succinctly explain the history, progress, and vision of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative in chapter 1. Chapters 2 through 5 provide a common base of knowledge about the Lower Rio Grande Valley and its people. Who are the Mexican Americans in the Lower Rio Grande Valley? They are Hispanics; however, since they are predominately of Mexican descent, the consortium chose to refer to them specifically as Mexican Americans. They are the people who move seamlessly across the border—some are residents of the valley; others just stop over as part of their life journey. We describe the people whom we found living, working, and utilizing the services and programs of the valley in 2003. They provide the economic stability and the economic stress. They celebrate life and death often in the same town, yet many spend large parts of their lives migrating across the country, supporting the agricultural economy, only to return to the valley having earned below–poverty level wages.

Chapter 5 describes the few data we have about the food and nutrient intake and food behavior of the valley residents. In trying to describe the valley, we found it difficult to find data that were indeed specific to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. There are many holes in the information that is available, with data coming from a variety of sources, making broad conclusions about this small region impossible. Extremely limited data are available regarding the nutrient and food intake of this region. Readers need to be aware that we have attempted to describe the region, yet on many topics we were unable to find data that would permit meaningful comparisons, much less allow carefully crafted conclusions. If statistics specific to the valley were available on a topic, they were included along with information that might not be as specific to the region on other topics. This process has clearly identified the lack of specific data resources that exist for the Lower Rio Grande Valley, prompted research ideas, and opened the way to planning future surveillance activities. The consortium stands ready to develop and guide a research agenda, steer prevention and intervention programs, and serve as a resource for assuring stewardship of resources and coverage to those in need.

The nutrition-related chronic diseases and health issues of the people are documented in chapter 6 with the data specific to the valley that could be identified. The data speak for themselves—the nutrition-related health concerns are enormous. The Lower Rio Grande Valley cannot rise above these problems without help. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative has acknowledged this reality and rises to the occasion to lead the development, delivery, and implementation of nutrition programs, research, and services to the valley.

Finally, in chapter 7, we provide the results of our survey of the current nutritional programs and services available to the residents in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This unprecedented survey of the nutrition programs and services that are available in the Lower Rio Grande Valley highlights areas needing attention. We make no attempt to evaluate the quality of programs or services offered, only to present descriptions of services as provided by staff of each agency. Data from the survey we conducted regarding the nutrition services and programs offered to the people of the valley open the consortium partners' eyes to the future needs in the valley. As many questions as were asked by the survey are now replaced by new questions after evaluating the data.

The listing of the information describing the agencies in the valley that are currently providing these nutritional programs and services, found in Appendix B, is unique in that it serves as the reference for chapter 7, is a community service resource tool provided to all agencies participating in the survey, and provides the framework for development of partnerships in the community through the consortium's future activities. Appendix B organizes the 353 nutrition programs and services, including content and county, alphabetically by agency name.

Who are these members of the Texas family who remain at the bottom of most health or economic indicator lists and who are the poorest of the poor, the least insured, the least educated, the most likely to be obese, and among the most likely to have diabetes? Open the monograph and in the following pages you will see photographs of the beautiful diverse land regions, meet the people, see the area with the fastest growing Mexican-American population in Texas, embrace the traditions of the border culture, and confront the staggering nutrition-related heath disparities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley residents. Come learn about the valley through our photographs, stories, and charts—let the Mexican Americans of the valley tell you their story.

R. Sue Day
Houston, Texas
April 2004