Nutritional status and irrigated rice cultivation in Northern Senegal:: A five-year follow-up

Nutritional status was monitored in a random sample of inhabitants of three villages in Northern Senegal where irrigated rice cultivation started in July 1989. In early 1990, weight and height were measured in children and adults. From 1990-1995, 290 preschool children, 175 mothers of the children and 99 men aged 20-60 years were followed longitudinally. The prevalence of wasting in children fell from 11.4% (95% confidence interval: 7.4-15.4%) in 1990 to 3.8% (1.6-6.0) in 1995, while the prevalence of stunting initially declined and then increased. Prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)) in men fell from 22.5% (14.6-30.4%) in 1990 to 6.6% (1.4-11.8%) in 1991 and thereafter increased to 13.0% in 1995, while no significant variations were found among women. The prevalence of overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m(2)) increased significantly over time in both sexes. Individual annual weight gains of adults were significantly greater than zero from 1990 to 1991 (mean: 1.8 kg/yr) and from 1991 to 1992 (mean: 1.2 kg/yr), and close to zero thereafter. In conclusion, the onset of irrigated rice cultivation was followed by a decrease in the prevalences of wasting and chronic energy deficiency, but a causal relationship between the agricultural project and nutrition changes cannot be ascertained.