Contributions of international food aid to diets of Nicaraguan children

The results of the dietary component of a nutritional status survey of 463 Miskito Indian children (0–60 months) in northeast Nicaragua are presented. Supplements provided by an international food aid program contributed as much as 12 percent to the food intake of non‐breastfed.children. Low dietary diversity was indicated by the average consumption of only six different foods per day. During the five‐month study, the total number of different foods consumed was only 29. The diets of breastfed and non‐breastfed children were almost identical in variety due to limited food supplies. Significant fluctuations in diet adequacy were found on a daily as well as bi‐monthly basis. Diets were more deficient in energy than in protein and, for one month, mean intakes of riboftavin and calcium were only 26 and 33 percent, respectively, of the WHO standard. The total number of servings of food consumed per child per day was a simple indicator of dietary adequacy.

Key words:

• Miskito Indian
• protein‐energy malnutrition
• nutrition intervention
• dietary diversity
• subsistence agriculture
• Nicaragua
• food aid program
• dietary habits
• 24‐hour recalls
• international food aid

Notes

Presently with UNICEF, Brasilia, Brazil.