Growth and Development of the Lumi Child in the Sepik District of New Guinea

The birth weight of the Lumi infant is lower than that so far reported from any part of the world. Subsequent growth in height and weight is as slow as that of some highland populations of New Guinea which is slower than that reported for any other group in the world. The age of onset of secondary sex characters is correspondingly delayed and menarche occurs in the Lumi girl at a mean age of 18·4 years. There is a progressive and marked loss of weight with age in both male and female Lumi adults, greater than that previously reported for New Guinea populations. Protein and caloric deficiency is a feature of the Lumi diet, leading to overt malnutrition in infants and toddlers. It is suggested that this is an important causative factor in the slow growth pattern.