A semilongitudinal study of food intake, anemia rate and body measurements of 6 to 24-month-old children in a Jerusalem community.

Food intake of 120 infants at 6 and 12 months old and 110 toddlers at 18 and 24 months old in three neighborhoods in a Western part of Jerusalem was determined by the 24-hr recall technique. Mean caloric intake was below the recommended dietary allowance, protein intake was twice the recommended dietary allowance, iron intake was low, and a high rate of mild anemia was found. Anemia rate and severity were more pronounced in a poor neighborhood. The different rate of anemia in the three neighborhoods in partly explained by the differences in sources of iron. Food intake did not vary by social class or mother's education. Using the weight/height ratio 9 to 12% of the children were overweight and 3 to 7% were obese. The impact of Mother and Child Health clinics on feeding practice is emphasized.