Dietary intake and nutritional status of women and pre-school children in the Republic of the Maldives.
OBJECTIVE
Malnutrition and poor nutritional status among children are common problems in the Republic of Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean. The aim of this study was to determine possible macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in the traditional Maldivian diet.


METHODS
In five atolls, 333 women with children aged between 1 and 4 years who were no longer breast-fed were interviewed, using a 24-hour recall. Additionally, the weights and heights of both the women and children were measured, and blood samples from 15 women were collected for measurements of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, homocysteine, cholesterol and haemoglobin.


RESULTS
Of the women, 22% had a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5. Of the children, 41% were stunted, 14% were wasted and 51% were underweight. The women's and children's diets were sufficient in protein (14%) and carbohydrates (67%) but deficient in fat, which contributed only 19% to the total energy intake. Consumption of dietary substances that depend on vegetable and fruit intake (e.g. beta-carotene, vitamin C, dietary fibre and folic acid) was low. The low intake of beta-carotene was underlined by low plasma concentration. The estimated iron intake was low, although blood haemoglobin levels were normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Marginal nutritional status and marginal malnutrition are due to low fat intake and selected micronutrient deficiency. Higher intakes of locally available vegetables and fruits and fat (especially for children) on a regular basis might reverse the deficits documented on the atolls.
Golder
A M
AM
Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
Erhardt
J G
JG
Scherbaum
V
V
Saeed
M
M
Biesalski
H K
HK
Fürst
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007195:Indian Ocean Islands; D007223:Infant; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D004041:Dietary Fats; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014815:Vitamins