This paper examines the effect of seasonality on the nutritional risk
of a cohort of 67 under-fives in rural Mali. In the year of study (198
8-89), distinct seasonal trends are apparent for all nutritional indic
ators: a gradual improvement occurring in the dry season followed by a
decline in the rainy season. While significant, these variations are
not of sufficient magnitude to affect the prevalence of children falli
ng below -2 standard deviations of the reference population, the thres
hold level used to define risk. Growth velocity also exhibits a strong
seasonal rhythm which overlays a state of chronic mild undernutrition
relative to NCHS standards. Coincident with anthropometric trends are
seasonal patterns of morbidity which underscore the importance of env
ironmental factors in the aetiology of nutritional risk. Observed diff
erences in the seasonal growth rates of specific age cohorts in the un
der-five population are the likely result of biological, environmental
and/or sociocultural factors such as maternal time constraints milita
ting against regular breastfeeding and supplementary food preparation.
While study findings indicate some degree of homeostatic recovery fro
m periods of seasonal stress, the impact of seasonal variation on the
long-term health and development of children remains unclear.