Growth and nutritional status of Bedouin infants in the Negev Desert, Israel: evidence for marked stunting in the presence of only mild malnutrition.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Growth and feeding practices of 353 Bedouin infants from the Negev Desert in Israel were compared to those of 302 Jewish infants from the same area and to American standards. These 2 populations differed in their cultures and educational backgrounds. The use of medical and health services was lower among the Bedouin population. Feeding practices of the Bedouin infants were markedly different from those of their controls. The Bedouin infants show a progressive decrease in weight, length, and head circumference (mean of all 3 parameters was around 5th percentile) while the Jewish children were comparable to Americans. The nutritional status was assessed by 3 different anthropometric measurements. The weight-to-length ratio showed that 88% of Bedouin and 96% of Jewish infants were above the 10th percentile. Tricep skinfold measurements showed that 96% of the Bedouin and 99% of the Jews were above the 5th percentile. The midarm circumference-to-head-circumference ratio was in the range between 0.280-0.310 (mild malnutrition range) while that of the Jews was above 0.310 (well-nourished range). These data show marked stunting in the presense of only mild malnutrition. This observation argues against the general belief that marked stunting is the result of prolonged severe malnutrition. Differences in cultrual and genetic backgrounds as well as different feeding practices and increased morbidity could contribute to this phenomenon.