Growth patterns of children in Lagaip, Enga Province.

A nutrition survey was conducted in 1979 in the Lagaip area of Enga Province. On examining 1,739 children under 5 years., it was found that the pattern of their growth was similar to that reported in other highland populations. The high proportion (37%) of the children classified as malnourished results from stunting, not wasting. Most of the children classified as wasted were less than 2 years old. Significant associations were found between reported morbidity and nutritional status when the latter was assessed by weight related indices.