Nutrition assessment report for El Salvador

and other international agencies. The result of the project is described in the report and includes the data collected, an analysis of the data for diagnosing malnourishment, and the recommendations for future activities and programs. Community Systems Foundation has developed a theory -- the nutrient flow theory -- to guide the assessment of nutritional status and the formulation of strategies to reduce malnutrition. In schematic form, the model shows the flow of nutrients from production through assimilation in the body. The analysis of the available information confirms the presence in El Salvador of acute and chronic malnourishment, of a deficit of nutrients, and of a high morbidity and mortality rate which leads to an increase in real requirements. A number of steps are recommended which can be implemented to define the problem further and to identify projects which have the potential to reduce malnutrition. The assessment is divided into three major sections, with Appendices: the data, the analysis, and the recommendations. Two principal needs became evident: El Salvador needs to develop an interest and a capability in the nutrition planning process, and new data must be generated which better defines the nutrition problem and its location and causes. It suggests that the planned nutrition loan be postponed until 1979 to allow time to concentrate on training and supporting a technical level planning staff which would produce a detailed plan for the nutrition loan.