American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 14, 65-69, Copyright © 1964 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Conference Notes

¹ Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chairman of the WHO/FAO/UNICEF—Protein Advisory Group

The stress on nutrition and the selection of nutritional problems as the first practical task in the protection of the preschool child are motivated by the fact that malnutrition represents the number one public health problem for this age group, combined in a vicious cycle with infectious diseases.

A joint appeal to the United Nations by leaders of new emerging countries would represent the most appropriate start for action. Such an appeal should arouse the conscience of countries with an actual or potential abundance of food. A proper, well coordinated, realistic "crash" program could then lead to pilot studies in these countries, in many instances first supported through outside help (by necessity). But it should always be kept in mind that self-help and independence of action are the desirable, necessary and only dignified goals.

In this connection it is fitting to quote from a talk given by Dr. J. George Harrar, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, at the spring meeting of the Nutritional Foundation in New York City (March 6, 1963): "Half of the people in the world go to bed hungry every night. While man forges ahead in his technological conquest of the universe, efforts to provide even minimum acceptable standards of living lag tragically behind. If this lag is not corrected, and reasonably soon, all the rest of human accomplishments may end in chaos."

The time to act is overdue! It is hoped that by putting into effect the recommendations of the Symposium on "How to Reach the Preschool Child (P.P.P.)," children in many parts of the world will no longer have to "go to bed hungry every night."