[A nutritional survey in Tibet]

We present the most striking results of a nutritional assessment held in Tibet from May to July 1990, performed at the request of the Health Authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Using a cut-off value which adjusts for the haemoglobin increase with increasing altitude, 40% of the women of reproductive age were considered anaemic. However, the distribution of their haemoglobin values was gaussian with a mean value of 13.6%. Apparently, the Tibetans respond differently to high altitude, compared to other populations living at high altitudes. Goitre remains a problem despite the goitre control program. Rickets, investigated by clinical signs, was prevalent in 9.2% of the children 0 to 6 years old. Rural children were shorter and lighter than urban ones and started to accumulate their deficit earlier.