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the 3rd percentile at about 7 to I months (Roy and Roy, 1969). similar
trends in weíght curves have been reported in other underdeveloped countries.
Welbourn (1954) reported bhat the mean weights of Baganda
(Uganda) infants r+ere close to the corresponding 50th percentil-e at
about one t,o three months of age and from nine months the mean weights
were below the 1Oth percentile of the corresponding weights of Àmerican
children. The quality and amount of nutrients, especially protein,
supplied by the supplementary food could contribute to the falling-off
in growth of infants in Third World countries. Roy and Roy (1969) concluded
that the low protein content of the supplementary foods
(Àrrowroot and Sago - washed starch) were at least partially responsible
for the reduced rate of the growth rate of Midnapore infants during
supprementary feeding period. children are also more Iikely to be
infected with diarrheal diseases during the weaning period due to the
poor sanitary conditions in which additional food is prepared.
14
2.2,4 Relationship of health status and nutritional status of children
Several health variables could play a role in predicting nutritional
status of children. For instance, poor environmental sanitation could
lead to drinking water poilulion or contamination rvith disease causing
microorganisms. This may cause diarrheal and infectious diseases.
These diseases could affect food intake, increase nutrient requirenents,
disrupt the normal absorption and utilization of nutrients, and increase
excretion of nutrients (wetlman, 1 978). Morley et a1, ( 1 968) investigated
the effects of measles, whooping cough and diarrhea on weight
gains of two groups (Group À and Group B) of very young children in a
Nigerian village. The number of chirdren in bolh groupsr À and B, $¡as
the same, 52 children in each group. Group À was characterized by