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pubmed:abstractText |
The nutritional status of children of displaced families in Greater Beirut was investigated in 1986 (a sample of 146 households) and in 1991 (137 households). Data on demographic variables, nutrient intake (calories, protein, and iron), and anthropometric measurements were collected. Iron intake was only 50-57% of the RDA for the 1-3 age group, and 35.6% and 32.0% of all children consumed < 60% of the RDA for iron in 1986 and 1991, respectively. Main sources of protein were dairy products, milk and eggs. The lower nutrient intake in 1991 compared to 1986 was negatively related to social class. Anthropometric measurements showed an increased past and recent undernutrition of the children in 1991 as compared to both the 1986 child sample and the NCHS standard child population. Severe inflation and marked increase in food prices were reflected in dietary intake and growth of the children. Food aid programmes, government subsidy of bread, and partial wage correction were possible stabilizing factors for the most destitute groups but not for the total population of displaced children.
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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: 2 professors from the American University of Beirut analyzed 1986 and 1991 data on children of 283 displaced families in Greater Beirut, Lebanon, to examine their nutritional status and contributing socioeconomic factors. Between 1986 and 1991, while the civil war raged, inflation rates increased 2200% (food prices rose 900-6300%). The government subsidized bread, operated a food aid program for destitute families, and instituted partial wage correction. Mean caloric intake was within acceptable levels, but about 10% of the children received less than 60% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calories in both years. Mean caloric intake was less than the RDA for the 7-10 year old age group (88%) in 1986 and 94% in 1991). The mean iron intake for both years was very low for 1-3 year old children (50-57% of RDA). Further, 35.6% of children in 1986 and 32% in 1991 consumed less than 60% of the RDA for iron. Dairy products, eggs, and legumes accounted for most of the protein intake which tended to be adequate. Children of semiskilled and unskilled fathers consumed more nutrients than did those of other occupational groups, because poor families received more food aid (p .05). Children in 1991 exhibited more signs of undernutrition (e.g., poor growth) than did those in 1986. For example, 22.2% of 1-3 year old children weighed less than the 10th NCHS percentile in 1991 compared to 12% in 1986. Further, 16% of the same age children were in the 10th percentile for weight-by-height in 1991, while just 12% were in 1986. These results show that very high inflation rates and subsequent increases in food prices adversely affected dietary intake and growth patterns of the children of displaced families, even though the government subsidized bread and enacted wage correction. Furthermore, the food aid programs just helped the very poorest children.
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