title: Identifying nutritionally vulnerable groups in case of emergencies: experience from the Athens 1999 earthquake.
abstract: During emergency situations in developing countries, young children have been identified as the most nutritionally vulnerable group. Comparatively less is known regarding nutritional risk of individuals in well-nourished societies hit by a major disaster. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to assess the nutritional status of Greek people who were left homeless after the Athens 1999 earthquake. A total of 225 volunteers from two camps were surveyed for dietary intake information and surrogate measures of nutritional status. Energy consumption and anthropometric indices of the children and adolescents revealed no sign of undernourishment. On the other hand, adults and the elderly consumed considerably less energy than that required for long-term preservation of health. Short-term energy and protein deficits, however, did not jeopardise their nutritional status as it might have expected, on the basis of high body mass indexes and normal haematological and biochemical profiles that were documented. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that nutritional risk in the acute phase after a major emergency in a previously well-nourished population is rather low. This is especially true for younger individuals, probably due to increased provision from the family and the community. Nevertheless, older persons may face increased risk as the situation is prolonged.
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Kallithea, Athens, Greece.
authors: Faidon
authors: F
authors: Magkos
authors: Fotini
authors: F
authors: Arvaniti
authors: Ioanna
authors: I
authors: Piperkou
authors: Sparti
authors: S
authors: Katsigaraki
authors: Kimonas
authors: K
authors: Stamatelopoulos
authors: Marietta
authors: M
authors: Sitara
authors: Antonis
authors: A
authors: Zampelas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004190:Disasters; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol