Protein energy malnutrition in coloured children in Western Township, Johannesburg. Part II. Prevalence and severity.

Anthropometric measures of growth and serum albumin and transferrin concentrations were assessed in 344 Coloured children aged from 1 to 16 years living in Western Township, Johannesburg. About one third of children were diagnosed as suffering from protein energy malnutrition (PEM) on the basis of weight-for-age below the 3rd percentile. The prevalence varied in different age groups, and was highest in the group aged from 5 to 8 years. A high prevalence of abnormally low head circumference measurements was found in the 1-year-old children (41, 2%). The severity of PEM was relatively mild, as reflected by the serum albumin and transferrin concentrations, and the almost total absence of oedema among the children. A positive association of breast feeding and income with growth was noted.