CHANGES IN PATTERNS OF GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOMETRY IN 2 RURAL MODERNIZING PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA COMMUNITIES

In Papua New Guinea growth is slow and adult body size is small. This is often considered an adaptation to the low energy and nutrient densi ties of the diets in which tubers and root crops predominate. Social a nd economic change have been a feature of Papua New Guinea, particular ly in recent times. In 1969 the human biology of two contrasting commu nities, one coastal with a long interaction with external influences a nd cash cropping, the other a highland community with a history of mor e recent contacts, was investigated. In 1984 repeal measurements of nu tritional anthropometry were made on the villagers and those born in t he previous 14 years. The coastal boys and girls were taller and heavi er in 1984 compared with 1969 but remained below the 5th percentile of reference North American data. Increases were also found in the highl and children, particularly girls, but significantly lower means were f ound in children under 2 years. Although stunting was less common in t he coastal children in 1984, 156 cases (37%) versus 175 cases (43%) (c hi(2) = 7.69, rho < 0.05), wasting increased in prevalence from 11 cas es (3%) to 20 cases (5%) (n.s.), either because of recent food shortag es or because height change was greater than weight change. Stunting r ose by 3% to 53% (165 cases) in highland children (chi(2) = 7.24, p < 0.05). In adults, heights were 2-3 cm greater in 1984 than 1969, and w eights 2-3 kg greater, with peak differences in the 30-39-year-olds. T he percentage of coastal women with body mass indices of less than 18. 5 kg/m(2) fell from 32% to 15% (chi(2) = 274, p < 0.01). Mid-upper arm circumferences and triceps skinfolds were significantly higher in all groups. National and regional data suggest that the communities were better off in 1984 than 1969, but social and economic changes were ass ociated with variable benefits in growth and nutritional status.