NOT ALARMING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 6

NOT ALARMING

CHILD MALNUTRITION POSITION IN ASHBURTON. NOT DUE TO LACK OF FOOD.

WRONG KINDS ARE TO BLAME.

OPINIONS OF MEDICAL MEN.

Arising out of the report published yesterday to the effect that 26 per cent of the pupils of the Ashburton East School were suffering from malnutrition, the opinion of medical men in Ashburton was sought by a “Guardian” reporter this morning, and it appears that on the whole the position is not alarming.

It was pointed out that the Dominion average of malnutrition over a long period of years was from 6 per cent to 8 per cent, and that there had been little variation in the past 10 years, when, with economic conditions being in such an extraordinary state it might have been expected that the trouble would have become pronounced. “There is nothing special that can be said in regard to the position generally in Ashburton,” said one doctor, “and I do not think the problem is any piore difficult than in normal times. There should really he no malnutrition in a country like New Zealand, where there is such a variety of fresh foods available in every centre, and the standard of health should he high; as a matter of fact, the standard is high, but there will always be the exceptions.

“Of course, the greatest aid in the cases quoted is the milk ration, which is being given in some of the schools,” he added. “That is an excellent idea, and it is one that should be extended far and wide, for the system employed is the one calculated to produce the most benefit.”

“Cases of malnutrition are not marked, so far as numbers go, despite what might be revealed by investigations, stated another medical man. “It seems to me that in the cases that have been looated, it is a question of a deficiency of food containing the health-promoting properties, rather than a lack of food, though undoubtedly there are cases where the supply of food, even the best of it, is subnormal, and that is hound to have an effect on the general position.”

No Definite Sign. A more detailed opinion was given by one medical man, who stated that there was a great deal of misapprehension regarding malnutrition. “A child who is well-nourished is one who is able to digest its food, and for whom the nourishment is able to build up a healthy body,” he said. “There is no definite sign by which we can say that a child is ill-nourished, for malnutrition is not a definite disease in itself with its signs and symptoms cut and dried. It is not just a matter of weight and measurements. “A fat and flabby, anaemic child may he suffering from malnutrition, although it is not thin, while a spare, wiry, muscular lad with no physical disorder, is not suffering from malnutrition, .although he is not fat. “The main factors causing malnutrition are as follow: (1) Poverty, (2) insufficient and unsuitable food, (3) parental neglect, (4) lack of fresh air and sunshine, (5) uncleanliness, (6) insufficient sleep, (7) pre-natal .causes, (8) excessive employment out of school hours, (9) acquired diseases, e,g.,. tonsils and adenoids, dental sepsis, tuberculosis, and others. “In examinations by the school medical officer it might be of help if the parents of each child were notified, so they could be present during the inspection of their child,” he continued. “In this way, if any defect is found, the parent could be informed of it and told how it may be remedied. “The question of milk in schools is now before the public. The school medical officer is no doubt consulted as to which children shall benefit by having milk, but owing to lack of funds only those children who are ailing are supplied with milk. Surely it would be better for the health and for the education of children if all children, irre, spectivo of their parents’ ciicumstances, were to receive milk at their schools,” he added. “In Ashburton, the local medical practitioners are well aware of cases in need of additional nourishment and clothing, but in most cases other factors are at work also, such as those mentioned before. “The Ashburton East School Committee has done well to ventilate the findings of their school medical inspection, and it behoves all parents to take serious notice of reports from the school medical officers. In all cases oi doubt they would be wise to report to their private doctor, as childhood is the time of tissue growth and of repair, and of the strengthening of the natural defences of the body, when much can be done to avoid the many ailments of later life. “A word on the question of camps may he mentioned. This open-aii method of preventing disease is gaming ground rapidly. Excursions of a week or more to the country, or the seaside,- should he arranged. Tins is real education. The young are led out for walks, and the children love these excursions and their camp life. Living in common like this makes children appreciate the better qualities of ot rei children far more than is .possible m school or a rough-and-tumble in the playground.”