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60
Observations by Dr. Mary Gilchrist.
The figures for the average heights and weights of children
aged 8—9 years and 12—13 years do not reveal any significant
deterioration compared with pre-war figures. There is a slight
drop in weight of the " Leaver " group, and in the height of the
girls in that group, but as the figures in normal times show yearly
fluctuations it is not possible to attribute these falls to the war.
The heights and weights of the entrants into the schools could
not be compared with those of previous years. Evacuation has
so interfered with the medical examination of the " entrants "
group that the -1942 figures are not comparable with those of other
years. Many children were being examined for the first time as
" entrants " at the age of 6 and 7 years.
What the effect of school dinners has been upon the general
nutrition of children it is too early yet to say. It was not until
July, 1942, that school canteens had been established in all schools.
The genera] impression of teachers who have most to do with
the school meals is that the children have really benefited from
them, and they are becoming more popular.
Certain individual children, especially those from neglected
homes, have shown most benefit. Another group who have done
well are children who were neurotically " fussy " or " fussed over "
at meals time. Children who " never eat anything " at home
settle down quite happily to school dinners.
I think we can say that no marked deterioration has been
revealed owing to the war-time diet, and with so many families—
once well below the poverty line through long spells of unemployment,
and now " better off " than before the war—it seems quite
likely that the poorer nourished sections of the population are
actually better fed than in peace time.