British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 841

CHAPTER XIX.

Iron and phosphorus ample.

Deficiency marked in all groups except property owners and shepherds.

Serious Vitamin A deficiency in all except property owners.

Vitamin C. Barely sufficient in the majority. Vitamin D. Inadequate.

Vitamin Bl. Well supplied.

50. The following assessment was made of 439 rural Arab

Minerals:

Calcium:

Vitamins:

children:

Class III (extra. feeding required)

19.0%

H/W ratio

A.C.H. index*

Anaemia. obvious

Teeth

16.7% bad

21.1% bad

16.2% bad

26.0%

51. On the whole the average rural Arab diet showed ample energy supply but marked animal protein, calcium and vitamin deficiency, with some fat deficiency. This diet is especially defective for children, due to its lack of essential protective factors.

THE JEWISH RURAL COMMUNITY.

52. The rural Jewish community exists in two main sections, the village settlement and the communal settlement. The former live a normal village and family life while the latter conform to a strict communal code. The rural Jews number some 120,000 persons or about 24% of the total Jewish population.

53. In the individual (village) settlement group 43 families from different settlements were observed. The general food standard was a very high one, there being an excess of energy from all sources. The only real food failure appears to have been in Vitamin D. Dental caries was marked, the rate being over twice as great as that of Arab rural children on a much inferior diet.

54. In the communal settlements diets are planned by dietitians attached to each settlement. All required foods appear to be available in quantity. There was, however, evidence of calcium and phosphorus inadequacy in some of the children's diets.

SMALL URBAN AREAS.

55. Fifteen per cent of the total population (approximately 200,000 persons) inhabit small towns. Surveys were carried out in three Jewish centres and eight Arab centres. Diets were adequate in 1943 in Arab food expenditure groups above the £P.2 per head per month level. In the case of Jews in that year, adequacy was achieved on food expenditure of £P .2 1/4; to £P .2 2/2 per month.
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* A.C.H. index based on arm, chest end hip measurements.

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