Effect of Diet on Skin-Fold Measurements and Creatinine and Urea Excretion of Hong Kong Chinese Children

Abstract

The nutritional status of Chinese orphanage children fed diets containing protein derived principally from rice or a combination of rice and wheat was investigated. Skin-fold thickness measurements were made in the triceps area for both sexes and additionally in the subscapular region for the boys. Skin-fold measurements of children fed rice or rice and wheat did not differ initially or after 9 months of experimental diet. Both diets permitted small amounts of fat to be deposited in this period. Urea and creatinine excretions and urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratios were higher in children fed rice and wheat than in those fed rice alone. The rice and wheat diet provided 6 g more protein and larger amounts of all essential amino acids than the rice diet.