A Study of the Nutrition and Health of Children in The Gold Coast A Field and Laboratory Study

Abstract

The results of field and laboratory study into the food and physical status of certain groups of children living in the Gold Coast, British West Africa, are presented in this report. The main part of the study was carried out during ten months in 1951 and 1952* Further laboratory study was carried out in the United States during 1953• The decision to carcy out the study resulted from association in the Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University. The Department of Home Economics of the University of Chicago participated in the plan and provided equipment. In the Gold Coast, the study was sponsored by the Department of Chemistry of University College, Achimota, and was aided in terms of housing and initial arrangements by Kumasi College of Technology. Health examinations were obtained through the courtesy of physicians of the Department of Medicine and by a physician in private practice. Members of the Department of Agriculture and Social Welfare provided much information and help with certain phases of the study. Teacheis provided information concerning food preparation. Advice on many phases of the study was obtained from members of the Nutrition Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization and from the Department of Nutrition of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study would have been impossible without the help of the many individuals who have contributed so generously of their time and resources.