The nutritional status of the Fur people of Jabel Marra

Abstract

The nutritional status of the adult Fur people of Jabel Marra of Western Sudan was assessed by means of physical anthropometry, haematologic and serum protein measurements. The results of the anthropometric survey show a high incidence of low weight for height in comparison with caucasean standards. The muscle mass as indicated by the upper arm circumference is also smaller than expected by European standards. The upper arm muscle circumference, however, is only marginally lower than the above standards. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is found to fall within the lower range of normal in comparison to available standards. The results are discussed in the light of findings in other African countries with similar ecology and socio-economic conditions. The haematological and serum proteins results reveal a high incidence of anaemia especially in women. As the R.B.C. count was not done in this work the type of the anaemia cannot be ascertained. The value of cross-sectional nutritional surveys for the establishment of baseline data for future assessment of development is indicated