Protein quality evaluation in rats of typical diets for 4- to 6-year-old children from different socioeconomic areas living in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Legumes and cereals are principal sources of energy and protein in developing countries. In Oaxaca, Mexico, corn is the primary agricultural crop, therefore corn tortillas and beans are the main energy and protein sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein quality in rats of typical diets for 4- to 6-year-old children from different socioeconomic areas in Oaxaca, Mexico. Composite diets representing the typical diets were formulated and fed to male weanling rats for 10 days. A control diet using casein as the reference diet and one free of nitrogen were included in the study. The apparent protein digestibility was determined in rats using the chromic oxide marker technique and the data was statistically analyzed for differences between control and experimental diets. Rats fed the diet of low income children gained about 2 g/day compared to about 3.8 g/day for the rats fed the control (casein) diet and had the lowest weight gain/g of protein intake. The NPR was 3.52 compared to 4.31 for the control diet. This diet is 67% vegetable protein and 33% animal protein. The diet for the medium income group contained a higher percentage of animal protein, 76% and thus higher digestibility, 78%. The results of this study indicate that the protein quality of children's diets in Oaxaca, Mexico, need to be improved.

Nutrient intake and growth of preschool children from different socioeconomic regions in the city of oaxaca, México.

Dietary intake and anthropometric measurements were determined in 124 preschool children, aged 4-6 years, living in the city of Oaxaca, México. The children were classified by socioeconomic status, depending upon their living conditions and family income. A composite diet representing the typical diet according to socioeconomic group was formulated and chemically evaluated. Corn tortillas and beans were the primary protein and energy sources for the children of this study. The inclusion of dairy products, animal products, and fruits and vegetables was not common. The children in the low-income group, which represents the majority of the children of this area, received only 63% of the recommended intake. Also for the low-income group, protein and iron recommendations were met but by plant-based sources. Protein contributed 10% of the energy, 78% were from carbohydrates and 12% from fat. Calcium intake was low, meeting only 34% of the recommendation and zinc intake was 51%. Fiber intake was very high, coming primarily from beans and tortillas. In the low- income group, Z scores for height and age were -1.60 for boys and -1.75 for girls. Weight-for-age Z scores were -0.90 and -0.97 for boys and girls, respectively. The weight-for-height Z scores for this group were 0.33 and 0.12 for boys and girls, respectively. Although energy needs were not met, extreme stunting was not detected.