SYDNEY, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants living in the remote areas of northern Australia are anemic, with many of them stunted, according to latest Australian research.
The prevalence of northern indigenous infants suffering from inadequate red blood cells and stunted growth was "unexpectedly high," the researchers from institutions including the Menzies School of Health Research and Swinburne University of Technology said in a statement on Wednesday.
The study, which involved more than 260 infants and children aged six months to two years, also found that 5 percent of them were underweight and 5 percent were overweight.
"The unexpectedly high prevalence of anemia and stunting in these communities highlight the need for continued preventive health programs focused on ensuring adequate nutrition amongst infants, young children and their mothers," the researchers wrote in the Australian Journal of Rural Health.
The early onset of those conditions "suggests a comprehensive anemia prevention approach is needed, including greater emphasis on maternal and pre-pregnancy health and nutrition." Enditem
