Nutritional status and dietary adequacy in rural communities of a protected area in Gabon.

OBJECTIVE

As part of a larger study designed to understand how to protect the food and nutrition security of individuals living in a protected area of Gabon, we assessed their nutritional status and its relationship to dietary adequacy and health status.

DESIGN

A 7 d food consumption survey was conducted during each of the two major seasons using a weighing method. Data were also collected on weight, height and health of individuals as well as on sociodemographic characteristics and potential determinants of the nutrition situation.

SETTING

Four rural communities were intentionally selected to represent both inland and coastal settings and access to food markets.

SUBJECTS

Approximately 500 individuals representing over 90% of the population of these communities participated in the survey during each season.

RESULTS

Undernutrition was present in the area, particularly among children <5 years of age and the elderly. Health was generally good and under-fives were most frequently ill. Energy, Fe and vitamin A requirements of individuals were generally not satisfied; the opposite was true for protein. The estimated prevalence of inadequate intakes of energy and vitamin A was very high in most age groups. Global nutrient adequacy was associated with nutritional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals do not eat enough and breast-feeding practices are poor. Many suffer from undernutrition, particularly young children and the elderly. The results confirm the need to investigate the determinants of this poor nutrition situation to ensure that protection of natural resources will not be associated with harm to the well-being of the population.