Nutrition...

Protein and caloric malnutrition is one of the principal public health problems for developing countries. More recent malnutrition data in Cape Verde date back to 1994 and confirm the importance of malnutrition in children. In spite of the positive evolution in comparison to the prevalence in 1990, data show that 16% under-five children suffered from chronic malnutrition, of which 5% had severe chronic malnutrition and 14% global malnutrition. Chronic malnutrition affected children in rural areas more intensively. Acute malnutrition affected 6% of children, namely in urban areas. This rate is important because it indicates situations that are recent and of risk for morbidity and mortality.

The occurrence of chronic malnutrition suggests situations of an extended period lacking adequate diet, repeated infections, and unhealthy living conditions. Malnutrition in children reflects the living conditions of a considerable portion of the Capeverdean population, which includes the 30% that live below the poverty line, a situation mainly originated by the families’ deficient nutritious conditions in their area that, in turn, is motivated by meager family income, large families and, also, wrong eating habits, influenced by socio-cultural factors.

A study conducted in 1996 on the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in children six to twelve years of age shows there is moderate iodine deficiency in Cape Verde with a prevalence of 25.5%, distributed unevenly throughout the islands. There’s severe deficiency registered in the islands of Fogo and in some parts of Santiago, while in the islands of Maio and Boavista there is excessive iodine prevalence. The study shows that the salt consumed in Cape Verde in general contains a low iodine-concentration. Considering that insufficient iodine in a food diet can cause several disorders that affect the psychomotor development and the child’s learning capacity, there is reason enough to justify a government action to ensure universal iodization of the salt consumed in Cape Verde.