Rehabilitation of undernourished children in Tanzania using locally available food

Abstract

The rehabilitative effects of a long‐term feeding trial in Tanzania with moderately undernourished children are reported. It lasted 88 weeks and involved 49 children. Food consisted of locally available cereals (maize), legumes (beans), and vegetables for 74 weeks, supplemented by animal protein for 14 weeks. Children stayed in a day‐care center for 6 days of the week, and were medically supervised and treated, if necessary. In addition to anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests were carried out at regular intervals, and previous diseases and vaccinations were ascertained.

Forty‐one children grew faster than, and 6 about parallel to, the Baganda standard for the first 74 weeks. While for the former no growth acceleration was observed in the meat diet period (weeks 75–88), the latter group grew faster than the Baganda standard during that period. Methionine supplementation of the diet did not seem to produce any noticeable growth improvements.