the nutritional status of - Health Systems Trust

6. Recommendations
It is suggested that the major findings of this review should be considered in the design of strategies, policies and
programmes to address the problem of malnutrition.
The wide range of prevalences of stunting in pre-school and primary school children indicates that programmes
should be flexible and based on real and specific needs in specific areas.
The co-existence of under- and overnutrition suggests that programmes should not only focus on adequacy of
diets, but also on prudency. Education towards “healthier” food choices should form part of all intervention
programmes.
Although some of the micronutrient deficiencies can be addressed by fortification programmes, it is suggested that
the question of iron fortification should be examined in depth by an expert committee. Fortification of weaning
foods is an option to consider.
The limited information on the nutritional status of adult South Africans, not normally regarded as a high priority
target group, indicates that their nutritional status is far from optimal. It is essential that to ensure maximum
benefit from development programmes, the nutritional status of many adults should also be improved.
A major observation in this review is the many gaps in our knowledge regarding nutritional status of specific age
and ethnic groups and also regarding specific nutrients. There is no information on how many South Africans
suffer from hunger. Very little is known about the impact of the rapid urbanisation on nutritional status and its
determinants in people living in informal housing areas. The biochemical information on nutritional status is
limited to a few nutrients in selected groups. Much more information on, for example zinc, calcium and iodine
status is needed. Clearly, all these areas require urgent research to support intervention programmes.
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