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  • Title: Growth patterns of children in Lagaip, Enga Province.
    Author: Harvey PW, Darnton-Hill I.
    Journal: P N G Med J; 1981 Dec; 24(4):247-53. PubMed ID: 6803470.
    Abstract:
    A nutrition survey was conducted in 1979 in the Lagaip area of Enga Province. On examining 1,739 children under 5 years., it was found that the pattern of their growth was similar to that reported in other highland populations. The high proportion (37%) of the children classified as malnourished results from stunting, not wasting. Most of the children classified as wasted were less than 2 years old. Significant associations were found between reported morbidity and nutritional status when the latter was assessed by weight related indices. A nutrition survey was conducted in 1979 in the Lagaip area of Enga Province to establish anthropometric baseline data for children under 5 years of age. Undernourished children are at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality and the numbers at risk and their location need to be known so that adequate preventive resources can be allocated. Data are reported on 1206 children who were selected from the population attending Maternal and Child Health clinics in the area using a stratified sampling procedure. Measurements of weight, length, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skin-fold were taken and compared against standards reported by Jelliffe. A morbidity questionnaire was also administered to the guardians of the children. Using the weight for age measurements, 37% of the study children are classified as malnourished. The most prevalent form of malnutrition is stunting (deficit in length for age). Only 3% of the sample are wasted (deficit in weight for length), with a majority, 81%, under 2 years old. The proportion of children neither wasted nor stunted falls steadily with age to 39% in the 5th year of life. Stunting, unlike wasting, is not amenable to nutritional intervention. Preventive programs to increase energy and protein intake should be aimed at children 4 to 15 months old, a critical age range when prevention is important.
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