Abstract
A RECENT broadsheet issued by Political and Economic Planning (PEP) directs attention to the welcome evidence afforded by the malnutrition controversy of the recognition that science can make important and indispensable contributions to the solution of social problems. The present broadsheet merits attention not merely as presenting a concise summary of experiments and studies bearing on the known facts of nutrition, but also for a helpful discussion of the main points of controversy or misunderstanding. This is particularly true of its efforts to disperse some of the confusion caused by the use of the word ‘malnutrition’ in several different senses. Available evidence shows that even in the lowest income groups, shortage of calories cannot affect more than a small number of persons. On the other hand, shortage of protective food elements affects many millions, and the effective absorption as well as the actual consumption of essential food elements requires consideration. Since this is affected, for example, by exercise and fresh air, these may also be ancillary factors in nutrition. The most serious and widespread form of malnutrition at the present time in Great Britain is probably the deficiency of calcium among children and adolescents, but there is also insufficient consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables and fats, although in the present state of knowledge the deficiency cannot be measured. The most pressing nutritional needs are, however, clearly indicated, and Government and industry carry a heavy responsibility for taking the necessary steps to meet these needs. Not the least valuable feature of this admirable broadsheet is a list of reports and books on nutrition.
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Science and Social Problems. Nature 139, 403–404 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139403c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139403c0