ABSTRACT
Dietary fiber intake in Mexico is highly associated with socioeconomic status. Consumption of dietary fiber in urban areas was calculated from the food consumption data obtained from a survey carried out in urban areas and the information on dietary fiber composition of Mexican foods. Tortillas and beans provide most of the dietary energy and protein for this population, whereas inclusion of animal products is only occasional and highly variable. The information was reported as consumption of soluble dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, as well as total dietary fiber for the different regions studied. Cereals were the major source of dietary fiber in all regions of the country. Of the different cereals, maize was the major single source of dietary fiber. High- socioeconomic status (SES) populations include less dietary fiber in their diet, with fruits and vegetables being more important sources than in the lower SES.
