Nutrition study in British Honduras

ABSTRACT

Height-weight measurements were performed and diet questionnaires distributed to 1,649 8- and 9-year-old children in Belize city. The children were divided into three groups; Creole, Spanish extraction, and miscellaneous for specific reasons mentioned. Analysis of the height-weight measurements and returned questionnaires indicate that the diets of these children are nutritionally poor; they are much smaller than American children of the same age; and have a high incidence of colds and headaches. No consistent difference was noted with regard to the height-weight measurements of the children receiving and not receiving a CARE supplement in their schools. Height-weight measurements when compared with private school Puerto Rican children assumed receiving a good diet were consistently above British Honduran values. When compared with prewar English children receiving a poor diet and postwar English children receiving a better vitamin and mineral supplement diet, the British Honduran values were greater than those of the first group and less than those of the second. "Anemia indices" of the three ethnic groups were compared and the diferences commented on. Frequency of colds and headaches and evaluations of the health of the children by the parent were tabulated and compared for the three groups of British Honduran children.(Summary)