TY - JOUR

T1 - Identifying nutritionally vulnerable groups in case of emergencies: Experience from the Athens 1999 earthquake

AU - Magkos, Faidon

AU - Arvaniti, Fotini

AU - Piperkou, Ioanna

AU - Katsigaraki, Sparti

AU - Stamatelopoulos, Kimonas

AU - Sitara, Marietta

AU - Zampelas, Antonis

N1 - (Ekstern)

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - During emergency situations in developing countries, young children have been identified as the most nutritionally vulnerable group. Comparatively less is known regarding nutritional risk of individuals in well-nourished societies hit by a major disaster. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to assess the nutritional status of Greek people who were left homeless after the Athens 1999 earthquake. A total of 225 volunteers from two camps were surveyed for dietary intake information and surrogate measures of nutritional status. Energy consumption and anthropometric indices of the children and adolescents revealed no sign of undernourishment. On the other hand, adults and the elderly consumed considerably less energy than that required for long-term preservation of health. Short-term energy and protein deficits, however, did not jeopardise their nutritional status as it might have expected, on the basis of high body mass indexes and normal haematological and biochemical profiles that were documented. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that nutritional risk in the acute phase after a major emergency in a previously well-nourished population is rather low. This is especially true for younger individuals, probably due to increased provision from the family and the community. Nevertheless, older persons may face increased risk as the situation is prolonged.

AB - During emergency situations in developing countries, young children have been identified as the most nutritionally vulnerable group. Comparatively less is known regarding nutritional risk of individuals in well-nourished societies hit by a major disaster. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to assess the nutritional status of Greek people who were left homeless after the Athens 1999 earthquake. A total of 225 volunteers from two camps were surveyed for dietary intake information and surrogate measures of nutritional status. Energy consumption and anthropometric indices of the children and adolescents revealed no sign of undernourishment. On the other hand, adults and the elderly consumed considerably less energy than that required for long-term preservation of health. Short-term energy and protein deficits, however, did not jeopardise their nutritional status as it might have expected, on the basis of high body mass indexes and normal haematological and biochemical profiles that were documented. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that nutritional risk in the acute phase after a major emergency in a previously well-nourished population is rather low. This is especially true for younger individuals, probably due to increased provision from the family and the community. Nevertheless, older persons may face increased risk as the situation is prolonged.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Age Factors

KW - Aged

KW - Child

KW - Child, Preschool

KW - Cholesterol/blood

KW - Diet

KW - Dietary Proteins/administration & dosage

KW - Disasters

KW - Energy Intake

KW - Female

KW - Greece

KW - Homeless Persons

KW - Humans

KW - Infant

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Nutrition Disorders/etiology

KW - Nutritional Status

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Triglycerides/blood

U2 - 10.1080/09637480400029324

DO - 10.1080/09637480400029324

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16019296

VL - 55

SP - 527

EP - 536

JO - International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

JF - International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

SN - 0963-7486

IS - 7

ER -