Objective:

To demonstrate that agriculture is the beginning of a self-generating process. This linked to the production and consumption of food that allows improving the nutritional and health status, promoting food security in two rural communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Methodology:

Qualitative cross-sectional and analytical study that was carried out in San Pedro Peralta and Lázaro Cárdenas del Río II, Othón P Blanco, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, with a non-probability sampling, carrying out field work and applying food surveys to record the products consumed and their frequencies in order to determine the nutrition, food security and health status of the participants.

Results:

Almost 60 % of the respondents have a good diet obtained mostly from stores in their own community and 20 % come from their own production

Limitations:

The present study did not cover all households, due to lack of time in visiting the communities, however it is a representative sample that gives us a perspective of the food situation in these two municipalities.

Conclusions:

There is a level of food security given that there is a relationship between what is produced and consumed locally that cater to nutrition and to disease alleviation. This verifies that there is a self-sustaining system, which starts with agriculture and that guarantees food security. There are possibilities to improve or increase food security through information on the importance and value of agriculture, nutrition and health in small communities.

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