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X. CALORIE INTAKE

In all of Europe, North America, and Oceania, the calorie intake is 10 to 12 percent above the estimated requirements for a satisfactory diet. Also, on the plus side are Turkey, the Union of South Africa, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Of the other countries, approximately half of the people manage to achieve their estimated requirements; the other half have calorie deficiencies of varying degrees. India and Peru have an 18 percent calorie deficiency, closely followed by Ceylon with 14 percent and the Philippines with 12 percent.

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Y. PROTEIN CONSUMPTION

Per capita consumption of animal protein-fish, meat, and milk— is a measure of quality of the diet in a given country as contrasted with calorie intake which is primarily a quantitative measure.

Broadly speaking, those countries which have a calorie intake greater than their estimated requirements have also a high per capita protein consumption. But there are important exceptions; for example, the calorie intake of the United States, Canada, and Australia differs little from that of Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, but the difference in protein consumption is very great.

India, which has the highest calorie deficiency, has also the lowest protein consumption. Other countries like Brazil, Chile, and Egypt which have important calorie deficiencies, are comparatively low in protein consumption.

Of the three proteins here covered, the proportion of animal protein in the diet is a fairly dependable index of its quality since foods rich in animal protein are good sources of many other essential nutrients. Also these foods are usually expensive, and their presence in large amounts in the diet reflects, in general, the wealth of the country.

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PART 4. HEALTH RESOURCES

A. DISTRIBUTION OF PHYSICIANS

Physicians, as defined here, are those with a recognized status as licensed or limited-license medical practitioners.

Broadly speaking, the distribution of physicians reflects the degree of industrial development and per capita income of a country. Four groupings are shown.

I. Less than 1,000 inhabitants per physician. This category is made up predominately of European and North American countries, plus Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, U.S.S.R., and Israel. Excluding Israel (which has a heavy concentration of refugee physicians) there is a range of 1 physician to every 610 people in Austria and U.S.S.R. to 1 in 960 people in France. The U.S.A. lies between with a ratio of 1 physician to every 790 people.

II. 1,000 to 5,000 inhabitants per physician. This category includes the remaining European countries and the majority of South and Central American countries. Africa is represented by Egypt and the Union of South Africa; the Near East by Turkey and Syria; the Pacific area by a few small countries or territories with close association with the Western powers.

III. 5,000 to 20,000 inhabitants per physician. This category includes the remaining Central American countries; various countries in Africa, the Near East, Far East, and Pacific area, including India, Burma, and Pakistan.

IV. Over 20,000 inhabitants per physician. This category is made up of underdeveloped countries in central Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen in the Near East, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in the Far East.

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