Overview of the nutrition studies.

It is estimated that in Africa an appreciable proportion of the population continues to live at subsistence levels well below internationally accepted nutritional requirements. Growth retardation and malnutrition are prevalent among young children; reproductive performance of women is impaired; and continued growth retardation results in stunted physical stature of adults and poor productivity. The nutrition studies carried out during 1976-81 were noninterventional in nature. They recorded the habitual dietary practices and food intake of biologically valnerable population groups as well as population-based data available about their nutritional status and some measures of bodily functions. In linewith the epidemicogical studies of childhood diseases that were carried out in the study area in 1976-77 specific attention was paid to the preschool child. Growth in weight and height wre followed longitudinally in a large sample; the food consumption and breast milk intake of a randomly selected cross-sectional sample were measured; and the chemical composition of mothers milk was analyzed. A longitudinal study of pregnant women and their offspring was conducted as part of the pregnancy outcome and delivery care study. Low-birth infants and their lactating mothers were followed longitudinally and serial anthropometric and food-consumption measurements were made. A matched group of normal-birth-weight infants and their mothers were also followed. The availability of food is generally governed by individual production and income. Off-farm income contributes significantly to total household income and thus to food availability. Food intake in the regions of study is low in quantity although the quality is good. At energy intakes 20-40% below recommended dietary intakes fetal growth was efficiently protected as shown by mean birth weights and the relatively low % of low birth weights. The total energy level is still below that considered necessary to maintain maternal body composition and to support adequate fetal growth and lactation. Other than pregnant and lactating mothers young children are the most affected group with marginal nutrition. Malnutrition is widely prevalent among them due to inadequate diet and high morbidity. Infant-feeding practices are governed by sociocultural factors which are sometimes detrimental.