Comparative study of nutritional problems in the islands of the Mergui archipelago

ABSTRACT

Assessment of the nutritional status of the people in three islands along the Tenasserim Coast namely, Malik, Pale and Zadeikgyi Islands was done in June 1970. Anthropometry, clinical examination, biochemical tests were carried out and food consumption weaning practices were studied. The growth pattern of children and young adults was found to be below the, 10th percentile of the reference standard and compared favourably with that of Thailand. Low body weight for length (about 70 per cent below the reference standard) was found mostly in children aged 1-2 years. Children aged 1-5 years showed various degrees of protein-calorie malnutrition. Infants under 6 months were not affected. The incidence and type of nutritional deficiency signs differ from one island to another. Signs of riboflavin deficiency were more prevalent among Malik villagers. The inhabitants of Pearl Island were found to have the lowest incidence of nutritional deficiencies. Weaning studies showed that 71.6 per cent of babies were breast fed. The mean age of weaning was 1 year 4 months. No significant differences were found between the serum proteins and haemoglobin levels in the inhabitants of the three islands.