Seasonality and nutritional status. A review of findings from developed and developing countries

Studies of seasonality and growth from developed nations demonstrate distinct effects on weight and height gains according to the season. When maximal group gains in height are recorded, minimal weight gains are detected. Only a quarter and a third of all children had their minimal and maximal height gains respectively, in the same period as minimal and maximal group gains occurred. Rain and pre-harvest months are usually associated separately with the disease incidence peaks and with lower energy and nutrient intake. In most areas of the developing world, however, rainy months with a higher incidence of diseases coincide with the lean or hungry pre-harvest months. Some communities have devised certain mechanisms which are likely to buffer negative seasonal effects (rainy or pre-harvest months) on health and nutritional status. Thus, either as a result of lower intakes of energy and nutrients and/or less efficient utilization of energy and nutrients, one is likely to find important seasonal effects in poor agricultural communities of developing countries. The importance of adequate knowledge about seasonal effects to support the better use of existing resources allocated to health and nutrition programs is discussed.