FOOD AND HEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 192, 16 August 1939, Page 5

FOOD AND HEALTH.

AUCKLAND CHILDREN.

MISTAKES IN THE HOME.

WHAT SCHOOL DOCTORS SEE.

One of the worst years ever experienced in New Zealand for school attendances—this is the Health Department's summing up of the year 1938. in commenting on child nutrition in its annual report, presented to Parliament. The report on children'* health is compiled by Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, director of school hygiene.

Hie rate of sub-normal nutrit : ~.n, which had shown an improvement over a- number of years, encountered a setback last year. Owing to the effects of infectious diseases, particularly measles, influenza, cough* and colds, states the Depaitment, school attendances were reduced in certain classes to less than half the usual number, and many children on returning to school were pale and debilitated.

Dr. Gunn states, however, that a number of unusual-factors had a bearing on the increase from 3.r>2 j>er cent to 4.37 per cent in the amount of subnormal nutrition. Ther<j were many transfers of examining officers, which brought changes in estimates formed of the condition of children, and it would be a mistake to conclude that the nutrition of New Zealand children generally was deteriorating.

Among the causes of ill-health are mentioned irregular life, insufficient or injudicious feeding, lack of sleep, of fresh air, of bathing, an unhappy or fussy domestic atmosphere. When these conditions are removed, as at a children's health camp, it has been found that the youngsters respond immediately, except for a few who have latent chest troubles, chronic appendicitis or other serious ailments.

"There is still too large a percentage of Auckland children having a diet containing excess carbohydrate and partial deficiency vitamins," states Dr. Mary Wilson, of Auckland, in an extract from her report quoted by the Department. She considers, however, that each year brings an improvement, and more families are realising the importance of proper food. In her view the correct food does not depend on the income of the family as much as on the knowledge of parents in regard to food values. Many parents who have a knowledge of such values fail to apply this knowledge in every-day routine.

In the Waikato district, the report shows, sharemilkers' children compare unfavourably with other country children.