DEFECTS IN DIET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 11, 10 December 1937, Page 8

DEFECTS IN DIET

EXAMINATION OF CHILDREN. MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT. Important inasmuch as they probably have a general application, the major findings of the school medical officer for the Department of Health (Dr. Adah Platts-Mills) in consequence of an examination of the children of the Terrace End School, have been communicated to the headmaster (Mr A. W. Thompson) at his express wish. Defects in diet appear to have been one of the main weaknesses apparent, and the need for a closer interest by parents in this -subject is strongly urged. “The school itself I consider very excellent,” states the report, “and the standard is definitely a good one. At the same time I found in no less than seven out of every ten children definite defects in development that can be attributed only to the type of food consumed. There is a very marked excess of starchy foods in the ordinary diet, and this is shown conclusively by an inspection of the school children’s lunches. Of roughly sixty lunches seen, the greater number were found to consist of white bread with butter and jam, biscuits and cake. ‘Meat pies’ were seen in about a dozen instances, and fish and chips in about half as many. In one case plain sugar bun was considered a suitable artcile of diet. “The substitution of wholemeal bread for white bread is definitely found to improve the nutrition of the children, but the addition of other natural foods is essential to their full growth and development, and only this will improve the structure of the children’s teeth. “The benefit of treatment at the dental clinic is very evident, and I am most anxious that every child should be enabled to participate in this. There are still a relatively large number of children suffering in general health through lack of appropriate dental care. “The most important consideration at the present time is the necessity for an increased interest to be taken by. parents in the children’s diet.. The general attitude towards diet is apathetic. If it were possible to demonstrate the defects to the parents there would he very much more interest than is at present the case,” the letter concludes.