Composition of diets of low-income pregnant women: comparison of analyzed with calculated values.

Nutrient composition of diets of low-income pregnant women was determined by laboratory analysis and by calculation from food tables. Twenty-two diet composites, each representing a subject's 24-hour intake, were so evaluated. Findings from use of the two methods were compared. Mean analyzed and calculated values compared favorably for food energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, although large differences in values as determined by the two methods were found in some single diet composites. Analyzed values compared less favorably with calculated values for calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and the six vitamins studied.

Nutrient intake of low-income pregnant women: laboratory analysis of foods consumed.

Nutrient intake of a group of 22 young, mainly black, low-income pregnant women was evaluated by use of data resulting from laboratory analysis of foods prepared and consumed in the home over a 24-hour period. Magnesium, zinc, and folacin were the nutrients least well supplied in the foods consumed. Analyzed values for daily intake of the three were below 50% of the RDAs. Mean energy intake was considerably lower than recommended allowances, even though mean gain in weight was somewhat greater than that recommended for normal pregnancy, a finding like that of other investigators. The wide range in daily intake of energy and various nutrients among subjects is comparable with that found in a number of other studies, which showed that many individuals have marked deviations in intake from day to day. Analyzed diets also were examined in terms of nutrient density. Mean nutrient density for protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid compared favorably with that of the RDAs, in contrast with the poor nutrient density for zinc, magnesium, and folacin. Laboratory analysis of the diets had the advantage of providing information about nutrient content of foods as prepared and consumed in the home. The analysis had particular advantage in the evaluation of content of zinc, magnesium, and folacin, as data for the three nutrients in food composition tables are limited.

Value and safety of diet modification to control hyperlipidemia in childhood and adolescence. A statement for physicians. Ad Hoc Committee of the Steering Committee for Medical and Community Program of the American Heart Association.

Hyperlipidemia clearly is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease in adults and very likely contributes to atherogenesis in children. The American Heart Association recommends that children with elevated plasma cholesterol or triglyceride be placed on an appropriate diet in order to reduce their risk of hyperlipidemia and possibly to reduce their risk of atherosclerotic disease when they become adults. Although the evidence does not yet support the recommendation that cholesterol and saturated fat should be reduced in the diet of all children, the public should be advised that such modification appears safe and very likely to be beneficial. Measuring plasma lipids of all children in order to prevent atherosclerotic disease probably is not cost effective. However, children of high risk families should be examined for hyperlipidemia.

Leukocyte transketolase activity as an indicator of thiamin nutriture in rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using leukocyte transketolase activity (TKA) as an index of thiamin status. It was shown previously that hepatic TKA in rats is altered by changes in the type and amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat in the diet. It was, therefore, essential to determine whether leukocyte TKA in rats is affected by dietary factors other than thiamin intake. Hepatic TKA and leukocyte TKA both varied with dietary thiamin intake; maximum activity was attained when the diet contained 3 to 4 mg thiamin/kg diet. Administration of oxythiamin resulted in decreases in TKA in both liver and leukocytes. The changes in leukocyte and hepatic TKA induced by varying degrees of thiamin deficiency were closely correlated. The responses of thiamin content were also closely correlated in liver and leukocytes. However, only hepatic TKA was altered by increasing the fat or protein content of the diet or by substituting fructose for glucose. None of the dietary manipulations studied except the production of thiamin deficiency had any effect on leukocyte TKA. We conclude from our results that leukocyte TKA is a sensitive and specific indicator of thiamin nutriture in rats.