(introductory text...)
At present, we are conducting a study of stunted children. The
main aim is to determine the effects of nutritional supplementation,
psychosocial stimulation or both, on growth, development and activity levels. We
are also comparing the stunted children with non-stunted children. A
house-to-house survey of poor Kingston neighborhoods was carried out, and all
children between 9 and 24 months of age had their lengths and weights measured.
All those with lengths below -2SD and weights-for-heights below the median of
the NCHS standards (HAMILL et al., 1979) were identified (n = 129). The
children were randomly assigned to four groups: a stimulated group, a group
which received nutritional supplementation, a group which received both
treatments, and a control group. Each child of the control group was matched
with a non-stunted child (heights above -1SD NCHS, n = 32) who was of similar
age and lived nearest. On enrollment, many baseline measurements were taken,
including anthropometry, developmental assessments, dietary intakes, social
background, index of stimulation in the home, activity levels, and observations
of mother and child. We are still analysing the baseline data, some of which we
will report
here.