HEALTH NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1926, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

MALNUTRITION

THE UNDERWEIGHT CHILD

(Contributed by Department of Health.)

Malnutrition among tho children of to-day has reached such serious proportions that it hag become necessary to investigate thoroughly and to do everything possible to eliminate it. The war made us realise tho prevalence of this condition. Malnutrition affects every class of people, rich and poor alike; it leads to physical and mental' disability, and paves the way for more serious conditions, especially such diseases as tuberculosis. American investigators who have been working at the problem of malnutrition for years stato that the sufferers from it to-day aro the tuberculous of to:morrow. Malnutrition is not easily recognised without some knowledge of the symptoms, and the connection between the mental development and nutrition must not be forgotten. The normal child requires a welldeveloped and wcll-npurished. nervous system for mental efficiency, as much as he needs well-developed and wellnourished organs in other parts of the body for physical efficiency. This relationship is well shown in its r simplest form in infancy. Tho well-nourished baby crows and laughs—he eats, sleeps, and takes interest in life .about ;him; spends his energy in'trying to. get what ho wants. . Tho poorly-nourished baby is. fretful, nervous, irritable; his sleep is disturbed and irregular, and everyone associated with him suffers because of his condition. Such a: baby is: considered a sick one, and is usually treated as such, every effort' being made to bring his nutrition up to standard. Childhood is the period of growth; in'infancy the weighing machine has replaced tho thermometer, and it is just as necessary for the growing child to be weighed and measured regularly as it is for the infantl ■' , . Physical development, arid growth.are peculiarly . amenable to . investigation and record; even one weighing gives a good indication of nutrition, and monthly weighings aro of inestimable value; but to derive the'full benefit from the results thus obtained a broader nutrition programme should be insisted upon in the schools. CAUSES OF MALNUTRITION. (1) Physical defects, e.g., adenoids, enlarged tonsils, decayed teeth, etc. (2) Over-fatigue: This is probably the cause most generally overlooked, although its effects are both physical and mental. The increasing activities and interests of present-day life have added to the burden of the 'growing child, and if. he begins to fall behind in school there is a tendency to increase tho pressure by longer hours and homework. (3) Faulty food habits and improper food, as _well as.causing: disturbance of the digestion and of other functions, affect the nervous system vitally. (4) Faulty health habits: To establish good health habits, train a child from its earliest years that rest, fresh air, bathing, and proper - clothing are essential for good health. Do not forget that hajipiness has an amazing value in promoting good health, and this should never be forgotten,in dealing with children. • ■. ■ . The spoiled, over-indulged child who lacks proper homo control suffers from tho evil consequences of (3) and (4). SOME SYMPTOMS.

The under-weigbt child is. easily tired, restless, and nervous. ' Ho is apt to become "finicky" m his, likes and dislikes, ho shows irritation, find is difficult to manage. When. tired he _is peovisli and worries about,,his studies and is disturbed by trifles," and. at night ho is restless, talks in. his sleep, and sometimes has night terrors. In school ho may be precocious,,but more.often ho lacks the power .of concentration, and is forgetful and backward. ■ Why has malnutrition, if. so prevalent as a definite'illness with ■ definite causes and effects, been so generally overlooked? Because the under-weight are iard to convince that a' child whom child may look well when he is dressed and thus escape detection, and. parents they describe as "highly strung, easilyupset, thin, not thriving,- and growing too fast," is an ill child and requires special treatment. Many people are offended when told that their child is sufffferhig from malnutrition,-as they consider this condition is duo , simply to poverty and inadequate diet, whereas in New Zealand .among the many thousands of school children examined a case of malnutrition due to absolute want of food is a rarity. ■ ;

A study of the diet of the children in our schools indicates rather lack' of comprehension on the part ■ of parents as to what constitutes correct feeding and a failure to utilise existing facilities. ' '„""'' ;.;'

CAN BE CUBED. Malnutrition can be cured.. Many investigations have been carried .out in regard to the under-weight .child . at school. Nutrition classes have been held in different towns, -and special talks with parents and children are frequently given. The most striking de: monstration that improvement can be brought about in children ' suffering from malnutrition has been by means of the health camps conducted in various districts. A simple routine consisting of plenty of sunlight and fres - ; air, suitable food, exercises, work, and adequate rest works like a charm in converting the' under-nourished, listless, irritably children into robust, happ}', and alert individuals. Not only children from poor homes respond to the simple and natural life found in health camps, but also the spoilt children of the well-to-do, whose daily dietary and programme express largely their own whims. 'Children ar« like their elders in,that they conform readily to fash-' ion. When whims cease to provoke interest or concern they are soon discarded. ■ HEALTH CAMPS. The health camps held in the Wangajiui district regularly since 1919 have given striking proof of the benefit to' be derived from them. A sketch of a j day in camp shows that the children got plenty of fresh air, plenty of milk, plenty of rest and recreation. They sleep in the open air in large open tents and marquees. Working on' the- day-light-saving system they enjoy every minute of sunshine. Care is taken that the diet is simple, well-balanced, and nutritious. Breakfast consists of porridge, with plenty of- milk and no sugar, and after the first few days all the children take it with relish. Wellcooked meat is served once a day, with plenty of vegetables, and milk puddings form an important part of the diet. Milk is used freely both as a drink and in the preparation of. various dishes, the supply being about one pint per head per day. There were no children in camp who did not improve, and some put on from six pounds to. fourteen pounds in the five weeks of camp life. After the camp they still watched the children, and of the 118 in the last camp, only 10 did not go on improving, a remarkably small percentage. ' N EVEEY HOME A HEALTH CAMP. Have your child weighed and satisfy yourself that he is normal for his ago and height. If he is. under-weight take him to your medical adviser and have him thoroughly examined. Some children of slender physique are "perfectly, healthy, .though, below »yerag«

weight. Nevertheless in many casea the causo of the child's being underweight is some defect which requires correction, such as some obstruction to breathing, decayed teeth, dofective eye* sight, etc. '..■'■ In all cases it is essential to make certain that the child's food and general habits are such as will enable him to become as well grown and as healtjiyj as possihl" ' ."■ Ever ■ can become » parawaeat; health camp, i or the .children set nothing at camp that they cannof g«t ff^ I home.