Appraisal of Nutrition in Haiti

Treatment of overt and subclinical malabsorption in Haiti.

“…Inadequate dietary protein, for example, has been demonstrated to be of aetiological significance in the abnormalities of intestinal morphology and function which are commonly present in children with kwashiorkor (Stanfield, Hutt, and Tunnicliffe, 1965;Brunser, Reid, M6nckeberg, Maccioni, and Contreras, 1966) and implicated as a possible factor in similar lesions in adults (Zubiran, 1961;Mayoral et al, 1967). Sebrell and his co-workers (Sebrell, Smith, Severing-haus, Delva, Reid, Olcott, Bernadotte, Fougere, Barron, Nicolas, King, Brinkman, and French, 1959) have documented the fact that the dietary intake of the rural population of Haiti is suboptimal and all seven patients in the protein deficiency category in the present study related that their intake of protein was markedly reduced. Further therapeutic studies concerned with the effect of protein repletion without vitamin therapy in such subjects will be necessary to elucidate whether protein malnutrition is of relevance in the aetiology of their intestinal abnormalities.…”

Haitian street foods and their nutritional contribution to dietary intake

“…Haiti consists of a coastal plain, a central plateau and several fertile valleys (A.I.D., 1982). The country is divided into five regions, or departments, four-fifths of which are made up of mountainous terrain ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet (Sebrell et al, 1959). Only an estimated one-third of the total 10,714 square miles (27,749 square kilometers) of the country is considered tillable (A.I.D., 1982).…”

“…Vegetables are seasonal, but there are many in season during all times of the year (Sebrell et al, 1959). Due to the climate, many temperate zone, subtropical and tropical vegetables are available in…”

“…The average Haitian does not often purchase vegetables. If vegetables are not grown at home, they are seldom eaten (Sebrell et al, 1959). The most commonly consumed vegetables include breadfruit, mirliton, plantain, yam, sweet potato and malanga.…”

Aspects cliniques et biochimiques de l’ariboflavinose à Haïti

“…Plusieurs enquêtes épidémiologiques con cernant la fréquence de l'ariboflavinose à Haïti ont été effectuées au cours des 30 der nières années [César, 1955;Jelliffe ei Jelliffe, 1960;Sebrell et al, 1959;Beghin et al, 1965]. D'une enquête à l'autre, il est frappant de constater l'existence d'une très large varia tion dans la fréquence de l'ariboflavinose.…”