HEALTH NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1926, Page 8

HEALTH NOTES.

MALNUTRITION. THE UNDERWEIGHT CHILD. (Contributed bp Department of jlealth.) Malnutrition among the children of to-day has reached such serious proportions that it has become necessary to investigate thoroughly and to do everything, possible to eliminate it. The war made us realise the prevalence of Uns condition. Malnutrition affects every, class of people, rich and poor alike; it leads to physical and mental disability, and paves tlie way for more serious conditions, especially such diseases as tuberculosis. American investigators who have been working at the problem of malnutrition for years state that the sufferers from it to-day are 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 well nourished organs in other parts of the body for physical eflieiency. This relationship is well shohvn in its simplest form in infancy. Tlie well-nourisiied baby grows and laughs—he eats, sleeps, and takes interest in life about him: spends his energy in trying to get what lie wants. The poorly-nourished' baby is fretful, nervous, irritable; bis sleep is disturbed and irregular, and everyone associated with him suffers because of hi 6 condition. Such a baby is considered a sick one, and is usually treated us such, every effort being made to bring iii.s nutrition up to standard. Childhood is the period of growth; in infancy the weighing machine Ims replaced the thermometer, and It is just as necessary for tlie growing child to be weighed and measured regularly as it is for the infant.

Physical development anil growth ate peculiarly amenable to investigation and record; even one weighing gives a good indication of and monthly weighings are of inestimable value; lint to derive the full benefit Hom tlie results thus obtained a broader nutri tion 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: Tins 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, anil if he begins to fall behind in school there is a tendency to increase the 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 happiness 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 home control suffers from the evil consequences of (3) and (4). SOME SYMPTOMS. The under-weight child is easily tired, restless, and nervous. He is apt to become “finicky” tn his likes and dislikes, he shows irritation, and is difficult to manage. When tired he is peevish and worries about his studies, and is disturbed by trifles, and at night he is restless, talks in his sleep, and sometimes has night terrors. In school he may be precocious, but more often he 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 child may look well when he is dressed and thus escape detection, and parents are hard to convince that a child whom th’ey describe as “highly strung, easily upset, 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 suffering form malnutrition, as they consider this condition is due 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 CURED. 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. T. 4 most striking demonstration 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 fresh air, suitable food, exercises, work, and adequate rest works like a charm in converting the under-nourished, listless, irritable children into robust happy, 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 are like their elders in that they conform readily to fashion. When whims eease to provoke interest or concern they are soon discarded. HEALTH CAMPS. Tim health eamps held in the Wanganui district regularly since 191!) have given striking proof of the benefit to be derived from them. A sketch of a day in c«>np shows that the children get plently of fresh air, plenty of milk, plenty of rest and recreation. They sleep in the open air in large open tents ad marquees. Working on tlie 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 onCo a day, with plenty of vegetables; and niilk puddings

form an important part of tlie 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 eamp who did not Improve, and some put on from six pounds to fourteen pounds in the five weeks of enmp life. After the eamp they still watched tlie children, and of the 118 in the last camp only 10 did not go on improving, a remarkably small percentage. EVERY HOME a HEALTH CAMP. Have your child weighed and satisfy yourself that he is normal for his age and height. If lie is under-weight take him to your medical adviser and have him thoroughly examined. Some children of slender physique are perfectly healthy, though below average weight. Nevertheless in many cases the cause of the child’s being underweight is some defect which requires correction, such as some obstruction to breathing, decayed teeth, defective eyesight, 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 healthy as possible.

Every home can become a permanent health camp, for the children get nothing at camp that they cannot get at home.