International Conference on Nutrition - country paper: Grenada

Report provides general information on Grenada and goes on to explain the nature of nutrition and diet-related problems in Grenada. Indicates that the health and nutrition status in Grenada has experienced both positive and negative changes. Low birth rates have indicated nutritient deficiencies in pregnant mothers. Children who have been surveyed also reveal a mild to moderate rate of malnutrition. points out that some of the factors affecting the status of nutrition in Grenada, are economic in nature: unemployment, government policy in relation to the agricultural sector, living conditions and health services, among others. An analysis is made of current policies affecting the nutritional status. Recommendations include the strengthening of health services, health systems, human resources, food and nutrition, among others

Caribbean Migration Project: report on Saint Lucia

This study examines Caribbean migration patterns and their effects on the agricultural sector with particular reference to production, consumption and gender roles. This report on Saint Lucia complements a similar report on Jamaica and covers results of a national survey of 1000 households in which 66.6 percent of the respondents were household heads. The results of the study support the view that migrant farm households are generally better off in terms of land control and use, production, incomes, household improvements and amenities, food consumption patterns and perceptions of living standards (AU)

Food availability and nutritional status in Guyana, 1980-1986 - abstract

The deterioration of the Guyana economy started in the late 1970s and continued into the '80s: 1983 was the lowest ebb. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined steadily from 1980 to 1983 due to a reduction in output from most sectors, mining and agriculture in particular. Some slight recovery was experienced in 1984, but this was not enough to offset the effects of the previous years. Expenditure on consumer food imports was cut by 87 percent, and on intermediate food stuffs by 78 percent in keeping with the Government's policy of promoting self-sufficiency in food. Research into the current food and nutrition situation in Guyana was conducted during July and August, 1987. Data were collected from relevant Government Ministries, the CARICOM Secretariat and the local office of the Pan American Health Organisation. The data showed that overall Guyana is not short of food. However, the quality, affordability and distribution would also influence nutritional outcome. The food/beverage/tobacco price index rose by 110.6 percent from 1982 to 1986. Dairy products, meat and wheat flour were among the items in short supply and thus very expensive. The cheapest and more abundant foods were the staples - rice, starchy roots/tubers and sugar. Hospital clinic records revealed high prevalences of still-births and low-birth-weight babies. These, together with the high infant and toddler mortality rates, are indicative of nutritional status. While the level of malnutrition increased between 1982 and 1984, there was some improvement in 1985 and 1986. Gastroenteritis, the principal cause of paediatric admission to the Georgetown Hospital, and malnutrition, were the leading causes of death among children (AU)