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5 - Peoples of the Mekongamong ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands is 90 percent 131 . Moreover, while poverty droppeddramatically in most of Viet Nam in the 1990s, it declined only one percentage point among ethnicminorities in the Central Highlands during the same period. 132Figure 12. Spatial distribution of poverty in LMB (%), 1997-1999 (most recent year)Sources: Glewwe et al. 2000; NIS 1998; SPC 2000; UNDP 2002; UNDP-Viet Nam 2001c; WB 2001aFood security and food poverty. Overall, the countries in the LMB produce adequate amounts ofrice to feed their populations. In Thailand and Viet Nam, the average daily per capita calorie supplyin 1999 was, respectively, 2,411 and 2,564 kilocalories, well above the recommended daily minimumof 2,100 kilocalories. 133 In Viet Nam, in particular, per capita food production increased by 25 percentduring the 1990s. 134 As a consequence, the percentage of undernourished people declined in boththese countries. 135Nutrition levels in Cambodia (2,000 kilocalories/person/day) and Lao PDR (2,150 kilocalories/person/day) are equivalent to or below the recommended daily average. 136 This is reflected in the fact thatboth countries have only recently achieved national food sufficiency. Bad weather, natural disastersand other factors that affect annual yields can easily threaten food security.Overall, nutrition levels in the LMB range from 75-95 percentof average levels in Asia. 137 Throughout the region, rice is themain component of rural diets. In Thailand and Viet Nam, animalprotein constituted less than ten percent of per capita calorieintake; in Cambodia and Lao PDR, the ratio was less than fivepercent. 138Many regions throughout the LMB experience regular foodshortages. In Cambodia, half the provinces may have annualrice shortages and the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Chamand Kampong Speu experience perennial food deficits. 139 InLao PDR, food shortages can last on average six to sevenmonths per year, with longer periods for ethnic minoritygroups. 140 Shortages are particularly acute in the periodbetween planting and harvesting of the rainy season rice crop.The per capita calorie deficit during these periods can belarge, representing as much as 10 percent of the minimumdaily requirement. 141 The predominance of rice in rural dietsis a major factor in malnutrition, particularly for youngchildren. 142Half of all under five childmortality in Cambodia and LaoPDR is associated withmalnutrition67