Growth patterns and nutrition in Nepali children.

A growth survey of four groups of Nepali children from birth to 12 years was undertaken and the growth patterns related to diet. The patterns are those of children suffering from malnutrition in the second and third year and not those of a genetically small race. Diet histories showed inadequacies of diet, mostly preventable, occurring during the same period. Privileged children within the groups showed a different pattern and a significantly better growth.