and eat pizza and fast food. Many people find Internet
support groups are helpful in making the transition to
a gluten-free diet.PrognosisThe intestines of people with celiac disease who go
on a gluten-free diet heal. In children the healing usu-
ally takes 3–6 months. In adults healing can take 2
years. The intestinal villi remain intact and function
properly so long as the diet remains free of gluten, but
the disease is never cured.
People who are not diagnosed or who do not stay
on a gluten-free diet face increased chances of devel-
opingcancerof the intestine. They may also develop
osteoporosis because of poorcalcium absorption.
Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies may contribute
to a multitude of health problems. Untreated pregnant
women have higher than normal rates of miscarriage
and babies born with birth defects, especially neural
tube defects, which arise from inadequate amounts of
folic acid. Untreated children may have stunted men-
tal and physical growth.PreventionCeliac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder
that cannot be prevented. Once diagnosed, the only
way to prevent symptoms and complications is to
follow a strictly gluten-free diet.Resources
BOOKS
Green, Peter H. R. and Rory Jones/Celiac Disease: A Hid-
den Epidemic. New York: Collins, 2006.
Korn, Danna.Kids with Celiac Disease: A Family Guide to
Raising Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Children.
Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2001.
Korn, Danna.Living gluten-free for Dummies.Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley Pub., 2006.
Washburn, Donna and Heather Butt.The Best Gluten-Free
Family Cookbook. West Toronto, Ontario: Robert
Rose, 2005.
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Gastroenterology. P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827-2260. Telephone: (301) 263-9000.
Website:<http://www.acg.gi.org>
Celiac Sprue Association. P. O. Box 31700, Omaha, NE,
Telephone: (877)CSA-4CSA. Fax: (402) 558-1347.
Website:<http://www.csaceliacs.org>
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(NDDIC). 2 Information Way. Bethesda, MD 20892-- Telephone: (800) 891-5389. Fax: (703) 738-4929.
Website:http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
OTHER
Busschots, Ginette V. and Phyllis A. Vallee. ‘‘Sprue.’’
eMedicine.com, February 8, 2006.<http://www.
emedicine.com/ped/topic2146.htm>
Celiac Disease Foundation. 13251 Ventura Blvd. ndash1,
Studio City, CA 91604. Telephone: (818) 990-2354.
Fax: (818) 990-2379. Website:<http://celiac.org>
‘‘Celiac Disease and Gluten-free Diet Information.’’
Celiac.com. undated, accessed April 17, 2007.<http://
http://www.celiac.com>(links to many articles)
Klapproth, Jan-Michael and Vincent W. Yang. ‘‘Celiac
Sprue.’’ eMedicine.com, January 2, 2007.<http://
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic308.htm>
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Celiac Disease.’’ MayoClinic.com,
December 14,, 2006.<http://www.mayoclinic.com/
health/celiac-disease/DS00319>
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘How Do I Fit in Grains?’’ MayoCli-
nic.com, May 31, 2006.<http://www.mayoclinic.com/
health/celiac-disease/AN00303>
Medline Plus. ‘‘Celiac Disease.’’ U. S. National Library of
Medicine, March 27, 2007.<http://www.nlm.nih/gov/
medlineplus/celiacdisease.html>
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(NDDIC). ‘‘Celiac Disease.’’ March 2007.<http://
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/diseases/pubs/celiac/
index.htm>Tish Davidson, A.M.Central American and
Mexican dietDefinition
The diets of peoples in Mexico and Central Amer-
ica (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador,
Belize, and Costa Rica) have several commonalities,
though within the region great differences in methods
of preparation and in local recipes exist. The basis of
the traditional diet in this part of the world is corn
(maize) and beans, with the addition of meat, animal
products, local fruits, and vegetables. As in other parts
of the world, the diet of people in this area has
expanded to include more processed foods. In many
parts of Mexico and Central America, access to a
variety of foods remains limited, and undernutrition,
particularly among children, is a major problem.
Although access to an increased variety of foods can
improve the adequacy of both macronutrient and
micronutrient status, there is evidence that the use of
processed foods is contributing to the rapidly increas-
ing prevalence ofobesityand diet-related chronic dis-
eases such as diabetes.Central American and Mexican diet