Supplemental feeding as a nutritional intervention : the Chilean experience in the distribution of milk

CRITICS OF SUCH PROGRAMS ARGUE THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD COMMONLY DOES NOT REACH A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE TARGET GROUP, AND THAT SUCH PROGRAMS EFFECTIVELY DIVERT ATTENTION FROM BASIC PROBLEMS OF INSUFFICIENT INCOME AND FOOD. THE USEFULNESS OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING AS A NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION CAN ONLY BE DECIDED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A SPECIFIC NATIONAL SETTING. THIS STUDY EXPLORES THE CHILEAN EXPERIENCE OF MILK DISTRIBUTION OVER A 50-YEAR PERIOD. IT THEN EXAMINES THE MILK PROGRAM IN 1971 AND 1972, DURING THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SALVADOR ALLENDE. FINALLY, IT DISCUSSES THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MILK PROGRAM IN CHILE AND FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED ITS DEVELOPMENT. THE MILK PROGRAM MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SOME IMPROVEMENT OF NUTRITION STANDARDS IN CHILE. IT CERTAINLY LED TO HEIGHTENED ATTENTION TO NUTRITION IN THE PRACTICE OF HEALTH CARE. HOWEVER, MALNUTRITION IS STILL A FEATURE OF CHILE"S SOCIAL ORDER. THE ERADICATION OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILE WILL REQUIRE SHARP CHANGES IN PATTERNS OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, AND CONSUMPTION. THOSE CHANGES ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY AUTONOMOUS MEASURES GRAFTED ONTO THEM.