Abstract
Mexico has implemented a number of food and nutrition programmes and policies since 1950. However, these initiatives have been largely ineffective. A new social programme targeted to poor families has been implemented. It now covers almost 2 million families and is expected eventually to cover 4.2 million families. The programme facilitates access of beneficiaries to health and education services, and includes monetary transfers and a nutrition component targeted to the critical development period between gestation and the age of two years. Pregnant and lactating women and children under two years of age receive food supplements fortified with key micronutrients. After decades of food and nutrition interventions that were not carefully evaluated, the programme performance and its nutritional impact will be evaluated. A baseline survey was conducted in 1998 on a random sample of communities selected as beneficiaries of the programme and on a sample of similar communities that will participate in the programme after the end of the evaluation. Additional surveys will be conducted in 1999 and 2000. Each survey will include a cross-sectional evaluation of children and women and a cohort of children zero to 12 months of age at baseline who will be followed. Preliminary results from the baseline survey of beneficiaries are presented and discussed.