The Food Consumption of Juvenile Diabetics: Evaluation of Diets Used at Home and at Summer Camp

Abstract

With the technical assistance of MILDRED KAUFMAN, MS.,’ ANI) TAMI O(ATA, A.B., � I N A PREVIOUS report on nutritional studies of diabetic children attending summer camp’ we mentioned the observation that the actual food consumnption at home by many of these children was not always that whicim �\‘a.s represented by time figures furnished to us on the caml)er’s application for admission to camnp. Time desire for more accurate information regarding timis prompted us to undertake a careful analysis and calculation of the food consuniption at home. To carry out such studies it was of course necessary to interview each child and attempt to make the necessary calculations from the information thus furnished. This, we felt, would i)e the best way of learning just what the calorie intake actually was and how it compared with the diet prescription ordered l)y the referring physician. Information was also obtained regarding the insulin dosage and the level of diabetic control that was maintained wimile on these home diets as judged by the degree and persistance of glycosuria. We were also interested in the problem involving those of our children who had not received at any time any definite instructions regarding their food intake; and, finally, we were particula ny anxious to obtain information regarding that group of children who were on the so-called “free diet” regime.