Notes on Ecologic Malnutrition in the New Guinea Highlands

Because of geographic isolation the people of the New Guinea have prescientific views; spirits account for everything and must be appeased. The basic diet in the New Guinea Highlands is vegetarian mostly sweet potato which supplies 70-96% of the adults calories and 35-77% of his protein. No animal milk or fish are available. Rats mice spiders birds snakes grasshoppers crickets and tadpoles are eaten. Pigs are raised as ceremonial pets symbols of wealth. Breast feeding is the mainstay of infant nutrition. As in other underdeveloped areas the breast milk of a poorly nourished woman may have an adequate protein level. There is a ritual prohibition on intercourse for 2-3 years during lactation. Development of kwashiorkor and nutritional marasmus is related to length and adequacy of breast feeding age at introduction of solid foods and intercurrent infections. Inbreeding genetic factors cause some diseases particularly a disease of the central nervous system. Having been isolated from the rest of the world for so long the people of New Guinea are susceptible to tuberculosis smallpox and other Western illnesses. Exposure to the modern world could eradicate the practices e.g. intercourse abstinence during lactation which aid in health and nutrition. New methods of presenting protein foods for infants are needed.