Nutritional study of the 1-4 year old population of the Lower Jimi Valley, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.
Malnutrition is a significant problem in parts of Papua New Guinea, including the Lower Jimi Valley. There is evidence of specific nutritional deficiencies, such as endemic cretinism, but this study focused on protein-energy malnutrition. It found that, in the 1-4 year old population of three remote villages in the Jimi, only 26% were nutritionally normal, 65% were stunted, 7% were wasted and 2% were stunted and wasted. With respect to weight for age, 16% were 80-100% weight for age, 77% were 60-80% and 7% were < 60%. These figures are considerably higher than those of the National Nutrition Survey of 1982-1983; although the Survey data originated from the entire Jimi District rather than only the villages in this study, these findings suggest that malnutrition is a significant and worsening problem in the Lower Jimi Valley.
Keeble
Richard
R
Koinambe Health Centre, Jimi District, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.
Keeble
Jessica
J
D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology