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  • Title: Nutritional status of 3-6 year-old African children in the Cape Peninsula.
    Author: Bourne LT, Langenhoven ML, Steyn K, Jooste PL, Laubscher JA, Bourne DE.
    Journal: East Afr Med J; 1994 Nov; 71(11):695-702. PubMed ID: 7859652.
    Abstract:
    A survey was conducted in the Cape Town metropolitan area in 1990 to determine the dietary intake and anthropometric status of 3-6 year-old African children (N = 163). Dietary data obtained from 24-hour recalls revealed that mean energy intake (5200 kJ) was low and that mean intakes of most nutrients fell considerably below the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). The average diet included an adequate number of portions from the meat and cereal groups, but was inadequate with respect to the milk and fruit/vegetable groups when compared with the recommendations of the Department of Health Services and Welfare. The macronutrient energy distribution was within prudent dietary guidelines, with 28.1% of energy (E) being obtained from total fat, 63.7% from carbohydrate and 13.2% from protein. Anthropometric profiles expressed in terms of the National Centre for Health Statistics' (NCHS) standards, revealed evidence of growth retardation and wasting in this population, coexisting with emergent obesity. The development of a nutrition and health policy to address the problems of both deficit and excess represents a pressing challenge. During the first quarter of 1990, Xhosa-speaking nurses interviewed mothers and took anthropometric measurements of 163 children 3-6 years old living in squatter and formal housing areas of Cape Town, South Africa, to determine the nutritional status of the children. 39% of the children received less than 67% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calories (i.e., deficiency) and 3% received more than 120% of the RDA. Most children were deficient in calcium (80%), iron (77%), vitamin A (64%), riboflavin (52%), niacin (53%), vitamin B6 (58%), and vitamin C (76%). Most children received more than 120% of the RDA for folic acid (68%) and for vitamin B12 (63%). Milk consumption was low (median intake, 0.5 portion vs. 2-3 portions as recommended by the department of national health and population development guidelines). The diet was also deficient in vegetables and fruit intake (1.32 vs. =or 4 portions) and fat intake (2.5 vs. =or 4 portions). Children did receive adequate portions of meat and foods from the cereal group, however. Macronutrient energy distribution fell within prudent dietary guidelines: 28.1% of energy from total fat, 63.7% from carbohydrates, and 13.2% from protein. 44.8% of children had only 2 meals with more than 600 kJ. 15 children (9.2%) had only 1 meal. 27.6% were stunted. 7.7% were underweight. 7.9% were wasted. 20.1% were obese. The undernourished children and the obese children consumed a diet low in micronutrients. These anthropometric findings indicate a population in transition--acutely and chronically undernourished children coexisting with obesity. The overall findings suggest a need to develop a nutrition and health policy to address nutrient deficit and excess.
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