NUTRITION DEFECTS

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 11

NUTRITION DEFECTS

FOUND IN EVERY COUNTRY The widespread incidence of malnutrition is omphisised in the interim report, issued of the Mixed Committee .on Nutrition, which was appointed by the Assembly of the League of Nations last year, with Viscount Astor as chairman. The report also describes the perfect scientific diet, says the ‘ Daily Telegraph.’ Following are the chief findings of the committee:— Every fresh inquiry, in town or country, reveals either patent or latent malnutrition. There is in many countries a nutrition problem due to the world crisis. This is true even in well-to-do countries such as Great Britain and the United States. In no country does the whole population attain the standard scientifically desirable in the interests of health. Even among the wealthier classes there is ill-considered nutrition due to inadequate knowledge.' Malnutrition is a widespread cause of maternal and infant mortality and one of the main causes of the high portion of rejected military recruits in many countries. The question of income is at the root of the workers’ nutrition problem. The average diet in the lower income groups is inadequate for good health. Unemployed workers during the depression of the last few years have found it impossible to maintain satisfactory dietary standards. The Technical Commission appointed by the Health Committee of the League of Nations met in London last November to define a diet providing for the full development of the individual. Protective foods for this purpose include meat, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, butter, fresh green vegetables, fruit, and potatoes. The report lays stress on the outstanding value of milk as the nearest approach known to a perfect and complete food. It urges the use of less highly milled cereals, particularly bread, and it advises a lower consumption of sugar. The committee proposes to deal fully with the economic and agricultural aspects of the nutrition problem in its final report to bo submitted to the Assembly of the League next vear.