Adequate consumption of proteins of high biological value is related to cost and family income at different periods of time. The decrease of consumption of animal protein observed was caused by alterations in family budgets in which the portion allotted for buying meat, milk, and eggs was smaller in 1975 than in 1969. The "Index of Animal Protein Consumption (ICPA)," estimated by the ratio - family income/cost of recommended animal foodstuff - is an efficient indicator of the consumption of such foodstuff and, indirectly, of nutritional status. Its use, however, implies the classification of families as to their economic status because the portion of the budget allotted for buying animal foodstuff varies according to the period of time considered.
Proteins; Food; Family income
