Objective: As part of a larger study designed to understand how to protect the
food and nutrition security of individuals living in a protected area of Gabon, we
assessed their nutritional status and its relationship to dietary adequacy and health
status.
Design: A 7 d food consumption survey was conducted during each of the two
major seasons using a weighing method. Data were also collected on weight,
height and health of individuals as well as on sociodemographic characteristics
and potential determinants of the nutrition situation.
Setting: Four rural communities were intentionally selected to represent both
inland and coastal settings and access to food markets.
Subjects: Approximately 500 individuals representing over 90 % of the population
of these communities participated in the survey during each season.
Results: Undernutrition was present in the area, particularly among children ,5
years of age and the elderly. Health was generally good and under-fives were
most frequently ill. Energy, Fe and vitamin A requirements of individuals were
generally not satisfied; the opposite was true for protein. The estimated prevalence
of inadequate intakes of energy and vitamin A was very high in most age
groups. Global nutrient adequacy was associated with nutritional outcome.
Conclusions: Individuals do not eat enough and breast-feeding practices are poor.
Many suffer from undernutrition, particularly young children and the elderly. The
results confirm the need to investigate the determinants of this poor nutrition
situation to ensure that protection of natural resources will not be associated with
harm to the well-being of the population.