British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 842

CHAPTER XIX.

Vegetable consumption had dropped to a low level in all Arab towns in 1943. Fat consumption was inadequate below the £P.2t level, while animal protein consumption was also on a very restricted scale below this level. In the case of small Jewish• towns, adequacy in foods other than animal protein was achieved at the £P.2 1/4 level.

ECONOMIC SURVEY.

56. Among the families studied, it was found impossible to assess incomes accurately, many family incomes being below monthly expenditure. Details of supplementary sources of income were difficult to obtain, and it is probably true that chronic indebtedness was present in many cases. It was clear that a marked rise in food expenditure capacity took place during the survey among urban families; the minimal food subsistence level in 1943 was found to be at approximately £P.2! per head per month, an expenditure which was approximated by 75% of the large urban town population in 1943 as against only 25% in 1942.

SUMMARY.

57. In 1943 the expenditure on food of some 25% of the poorer families in large urban areas was below the figure required for a minimal subsistence diet. Consumption of animal protein, animal fat, and vegetables was generally inadequate among these families, and the intake of Vitamins A and D and calcium was deficient in consequence.

58. Where the rural population was concerned, the Arab diet showed ample energy supply, but there was again a widespread deficient intake of animal protein, calcium and fat-soluble vitamins. Rural Jews subsisted on a satisfactory diet, with the exception of slight Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus inadequacy in children's diets.

59. In small urban areas, animal protein, fat and vegetable consumption was generally inadequate among poorer families.

The state of nutrition of urban Arab children of school age was below that of Jewish children. An improvement occurred in 1943, when 9.3% of Arab children received school meals.

60. On the whole, the main dietary deficiencies noted in urban areas were associated with low economic status, although ignorance of dietary principles and wasteful methods of cooking. play a considerable part. In rural areas, the direct economic factor was not so important, bad dietary habits due to custom and prejudice being the outstanding defects.

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