Protein Intake In Children Research Articles

Associations between High Protein Intake, Linear Growth, and Stunting in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for linear growth and preventing stunting. Current evidence indicates that dietary protein intake in children and adolescents is often two to three times higher than the recommendations in many regions worldwide. However, few studies have focused on the association between high protein intake and linear growth and stunting in this population. We aim to investigate this association in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years in a population with relatively high protein consumption. We conducted a large cross-sectional study involving 3299 participants from Shenzhen, a modern metropolis of China. Protein intake, including total protein, animal protein, and plant protein, was evaluated by a food-frequency questionnaire and expressed as grams per kilogram of body weight per day (g·kg-1·d-1) and as a percentage of total energy intake (%E). The primary outcomes were body height and height-for-age Z score (HAZ). Generalized linear models and logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between protein intake and outcomes. We also conducted stratified analyses across different genders and pubertal stages in the aforementioned associations. The mean protein intake was 1.81 g·kg-1·d-1 (17% E). After adjusting for serum calcium, zinc, vitamin D3, vitamin A levels, birth outcomes, lifestyle, and parental characteristics, each standard deviation increase of 1 in protein intake (0.64 kg-1·d-1) is found to be associated with a -5.78 cm change in body height (95% CI: -6.12, -5.45) and a -0.79 change in HAZ (95% CI: -0.84, -0.74). Consistent results were observed when protein intake was expressed as %E or specifically as animal or plant protein. Moreover, the relationship between protein intake and linear growth remained consistent across genders in different pubertal stages, similar to that of the overall participants. Our findings highlight the potential hazards of high protein intake on linear growth in children and adolescents. Caution should be exercised when promoting increased protein consumption in children and adolescents who already have a high intake of protein.

Optimal Protein Intake in Healthy Children and Adolescents: Evaluating Current Evidence

High protein intake might elicit beneficial or detrimental effects, depending on life stages and populations. While high protein intake in elder individuals can promote beneficial health effects, elevated protein intakes in infancy are discouraged, since they have been associated with obesity risks later in life. However, in children and adolescents (4-18 years), there is a scarcity of data assessing the effects of high protein intake later in life, despite protein intake being usually two- to three-fold higher than the recommendations in developed countries. This narrative review aimed to revise the available evidence on the long-term effects of protein intake in children and adolescents aged 4-18 years. Additionally, it discusses emerging techniques to assess protein metabolism in children, which suggest a need to reevaluate current recommendations. While the optimal range is yet to be firmly established, available evidence suggests a link between high protein intake and increased Body Mass Index (BMI), which might be driven by an increase in Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), as opposed to Fat Mass Index (FMI).

Dietary Protein Intake in Young Children in Selected Low-Income Countries Is Generally Adequate in Relation to Estimated Requirements for Healthy Children, Except When Complementary Food Intake Is Low

Background Previous research indicates that young children in low-income countries (LICs) generally consume greater amounts of protein than published estimates of protein requirements, but this research did not account for protein quality based on the mix of amino acids and the digestibility of ingested protein.Objective: Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of inadequate protein and amino acid intake by young children in LICs, accounting for protein quality.Methods: Seven data sets with information on dietary intake for children (6–35 mo of age) from 6 LICs (Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Uganda, and Zambia) were reanalyzed to estimate protein and amino acid intake and assess adequacy. The protein digestibility–corrected amino acid score of each child's diet was calculated and multiplied by the original (crude) protein intake to obtain an estimate of available protein intake. Distributions of usual intake were obtained to estimate the prevalence of inadequate protein and amino acid intake for each cohort according to Estimated Average Requirements.Results The prevalence of inadequate protein intake was highest in breastfeeding children aged 6–8 mo: 24% of Bangladeshi and 16% of Peruvian children. With the exception of Bangladesh, the prevalence of inadequate available protein intake decreased by age 9–12 mo and was very low in all sites (0–2%) after 12 mo of age. Inadequate protein intake in children <12 mo of age was due primarily to low energy intake from complementary foods, not inadequate protein density.Conclusions Overall, most children consumed protein amounts greater than requirements, except for the younger breastfeeding children, who were consuming low amounts of complementary foods. These findings reinforce previous evidence that dietary protein is not generally limiting for children in LICs compared with estimated requirements for healthy children, even after accounting for protein quality. However, unmeasured effects of infection and intestinal dysfunction on the children's protein requirements could modify this conclusion.

Protein intake in children and growth and risk of overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the evidence for an association between the dietary protein intake in children and the growth and risk of overweight or obesity up to 18 years of age in settings relevant for the Nordic countries.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus up to February 26, 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies assessing for protein intake from foods (total and from different sources) in children. The outcomes include weight, height/length, adiposity indices, and/or risk of overweight and/or obesity. The risk of bias was evaluated with instruments for each respective design (Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2.0 and RoB-NObS). A meta-analysis of five cohort studies was performed. The evidence was classified according to the criteria of the World Cancer Research Fund.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 9,132 abstracts, of which 55 papers were identified as potentially relevant. In total, 21 studies from 27 publications were included, of which five were RCTs and 16 were cohort studies. The RCTs found generally null effects of high-protein intake in infants on weight gain, nor that lower protein diets negatively affected growth. All included RCTs had some concern regarding the risk of bias and were limited by small sample sizes. Total protein intake and BMI were assessed in 12 cohorts, of which 11 found positive associations. The meta-analysis revealed a pooled effect estimate of 0.06 (95% CI 0.03, 0.1) kg/m2 BMI per one E% increment in total protein (I2 = 15.5). Therefore, the evidence for a positive relationship between total protein intake and BMI was considered probable. Furthermore, there was probable evidence for an association between higher intake of animal protein and increased BMI. There was limited, suggestive evidence for an effect of total protein intake and higher risk of overweight and/or obesity, while no conclusions could be made on the associations between animal vs. plant protein intake and risk of overweight and/or obesity.DiscussionIn healthy, well-nourished children of Western populations, there is probably a causal relationship between a high-protein intake in early childhood (≤ 18 months) – particularly protein of animal origin – and higher BMI later in childhood, with consistent findings across cohort studies. A lack of RCTs precluded a stronger grading of the evidence.

A randomized controlled trial on the effect of dietary guidance on the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children

The amino acid-based formulae were extensively added to diet of children for the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), and the nutrition and growth situation of children were evaluated after giving...

Interactions between Growth of Muscle and Stature: Mechanisms Involved and Their Nutritional Sensitivity to Dietary Protein: The Protein-Stat Revisited.

Childhood growth and its sensitivity to dietary protein is reviewed within a Protein-Stat model of growth regulation. The coordination of growth of muscle and stature is a combination of genetic programming, and of two-way mechanical interactions involving the mechanotransduction of muscle growth through stretching by bone length growth, the core Protein-Stat feature, and the strengthening of bone through muscle contraction via the mechanostat. Thus, growth in bone length is the initiating event and this is always observed. Endocrine and cellular mechanisms of growth in stature are reviewed in terms of the growth hormone-insulin like growth factor-1 (GH-IGF-1) and thyroid axes and the sex hormones, which together mediate endochondral ossification in the growth plate and bone lengthening. Cellular mechanisms of muscle growth during development are then reviewed identifying (a) the difficulties posed by the need to maintain its ultrastructure during myofibre hypertrophy within the extracellular matrix and the concept of muscle as concentric “bags” allowing growth to be conceived as bag enlargement and filling, (b) the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the mechanotransduction of satellite and mesenchymal stromal cells, to enable both connective tissue remodelling and provision of new myonuclei to aid myofibre hypertrophy and (c) the implications of myofibre hypertrophy for protein turnover within the myonuclear domain. Experimental data from rodent and avian animal models illustrate likely changes in DNA domain size and protein turnover during developmental and stretch-induced muscle growth and between different muscle fibre types. Growth of muscle in male rats during adulthood suggests that “bag enlargement” is achieved mainly through the action of mesenchymal stromal cells. Current understanding of the nutritional regulation of protein deposition in muscle, deriving from experimental studies in animals and human adults, is reviewed, identifying regulation by amino acids, insulin and myofibre volume changes acting to increase both ribosomal capacity and efficiency of muscle protein synthesis via the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and the phenomenon of a “bag-full” inhibitory signal has been identified in human skeletal muscle. The final section deals with the nutritional sensitivity of growth of muscle and stature to dietary protein in children. Growth in length/height as a function of dietary protein intake is described in the context of the breastfed child as the normative growth model, and the “Early Protein Hypothesis” linking high protein intakes in infancy to later adiposity. The extensive paediatric studies on serum IGF-1 and child growth are reviewed but their clinical relevance is of limited value for understanding growth regulation; a role in energy metabolism and homeostasis, acting with insulin to mediate adiposity, is probably more important. Information on the influence of dietary protein on muscle mass per se as opposed to lean body mass is limited but suggests that increased protein intake in children is unable to promote muscle growth in excess of that linked to genotypic growth in length/height. One possible exception is milk protein intake, which cohort and cross-cultural studies suggest can increase height and associated muscle growth, although such effects have yet to be demonstrated by randomised controlled trials.

Women’s empowerment and gender-differentiated food allocation in Bangladesh

This paper analyzes the impact of women’s empowerment on two aspects of food security—calorie and protein intake of children—using data on agricultural households from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey. We are interested both in the differential impact of mother’s empowerment on the food security of boys and girls as well as in whether different aspects of empowerment have different effects. There are 10 different aspects of empowerment including making production decisions, owning and selling assets, being a member of a group and so on. Our estimates suggest that, in households with more empowered women, children enjoy higher calorie and protein intake but that daughters are disadvantaged relative to sons. Most importantly, mother’s empowerment is an important source of gender discrimination. When considering the sub-components of empowerment, we find that input into production decisions are important for both calorie consumption and protein. These findings are robust to a host of controls including household poverty, sibling composition, community social norms and individual characteristics.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Caregivers of Children 0 - 23 Months in Eastern and Central Uganda

Introduction: Appropriate feeding and consequently good nutritional status of young children largely depends on their caregivers. Aim: The current study aimed at assessing maternal/caregivers’ current knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding different aspects of infant and young child feeding in Eastern and Central Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey design with mixed methods employing both qualitative and quantitative methods was used for data collection. Results: The study participants included 556 caregivers and 572 children. Results indicate that most caregivers (77%) were knowledgeable about key infant and young child feeding practices such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding and meal frequency. However, culture and economic hardships were a major barrier to the applicability of this knowledge. Nearly all (98%) children were ever breastfed with 41% having been initiated on breast milk in the first hour after birth and 68% of all the children below 6 months exclusively breastfed. Three percent of the children aged 6 - 23 months were classified as having either Moderate (2%) or Severe (1%) Acute malnutrition. The median birth weight was 3.2 Kgs with nine percent of the children classified as underweight at birth. The majority (78%) of the children consumed foods from at least four food groups however only 44% consumed heme-rich animal flesh food such as meat, poultry, organ meats and fish, 29% consumed milk and milk products while only 11% consumed eggs. The barriers to improved nutritional status and health-seeking behaviour in children from both regions were largely similar. Some of these included cultural practices which prohibit children from eating certain foods and lack of drugs in the health facilities. Lack of male involvement was a key barrier to health-seeking behaviour and the nutritional well-being of children. Males were, however, more knowledgeable about the key childcare practices that are critical to positive outcomes because they listen to radios, have access to social media and usually congregate at bars where this information is disseminated and exchanged. Conclusion: There should be continuous sensitization of mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding with special focus on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding as well as child feeding practices during illness. To increase protein intake in children 6 - 23 months, interventions aimed at increasing consumption of these vital nutrients such as promotion of nutrition-sensitive agricultural enterprises like rearing of small livestock and chickens should be emphasized. Consumption of these foods is critical, especially during pregnancy and infancy. Finally, male involvement in maternal and child feeding should be encouraged.

Pentingnya pola asuh ibu terhadap asupan energi dan protein pada balita dengan pendapatan keluarga rendah

The importance of maternal parenting to energy and protein intake in children in a low-income familyBackground: Energy and protein insufficiency was still a major problem for Indonesian children, especially for those who live in rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to find the important role of mothers on their children's intakes in low-income families in the village of Tasikmalaya, West Java. Methods: The study was an observational research with a cross-sectional design. 120 children (6 months to 5 years old) were randomly selected from the list of children in the area. Children's intake was measured using a 2x24 hour food recall questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data were analyzed using correlation test (Spearman rho), and multiple linear regression test significance was set at p-value &lt;0,005. Results: The majority of the children (83.3%) consumed less than four types of food (staple foods, side dishes, vegetables, and fruits), 58.3% ate the main menu &lt;3 times/day, 13.3% of the children had low energy intake, and 7.5% had low protein intake. Although a majority of the children had normal nutritional status, 5.8% were categorized as wasting, and 2.5% overweight. There was a positive correlation between frequency of eating with energy and protein intakes of children (p=0.006; p=0.035). Types of food did not correlate to the energy and protein intakes of the children. Mother's education, children's age, and history of illness are factors that influence the energy and protein intake of the children. Conclusions: Maternal parenting (frequency of eating) correlated to the energy and protein intake of the children.

Daily consumption of growing-up milk is associated with less stunting among Indonesian toddlers

BACKGROUND In Indonesia, animal protein intake in children is low and might contribute to a high prevalence of stunting. This study was aimed to evaluate the association between animal protein source consumption and stunting in toddlers. METHODS This cross-sectional study obtained secondary data from the Ironcheq questionnaire validation study to detect the risk of iron deficiency in toddlers. The Ironcheq study was carried out in five integrated health service posts (Posyandu) in Jakarta from 2013 to 2014. Data from 172 subjects, consisting of 41 stunted (height-for-age z-score less than -2) and 131 normal children, were analyzed to evaluate the association between animal protein source consumption and stunting using multivariate logistic regression test. RESULTS Stunted children tend to come from a family with low parental education and socioeconomic status. Consuming growing-up milk (GUM) ≥300 ml/day was protective against stunting (adjusted OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13–0.63), whereas consuming red meat product ≥5 times/week was a risk factor (crude OR 3.70, 95% CI 1.17–11.74), however after adjusted to age, sex, and other variables in the questionnaire, the OR was not significant (adjusted OR 3.64 95% CI 1.00–13.26). CONCLUSIONS A daily consumption of 300 ml of GUM may be considered to prevent stunting in toddlers. Red meat products (sausage, nugget, and meatball), which are commonly consumed because of its practicality, could not be considered as significant animal protein sources because of a wide variation of their nutritional content.

The Impacts of Urban Employment on Child Nutrition in Poor Rural Area: The Case of an Andean Indigenous Village, Cercado in Ecuador

연구목적: 에콰도르의 극빈 농촌지역이며 원주민 거주지역인 Cercado에 비농업소득이 식품섭취에 미치는 영향력 분석연구의 중요성: 개발도상국의 빈곤 농촌지역에서 도시지역 취업을 통한 비농업소득은 추가소득이라는 측면에서 아동의 영양섭취에 긍정적 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 하지만 식품 현물 획득 기회의 제한, 아동 식습관 관리 소홀 등으로 오히려 아동의 영양섭취에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수도 있다 연구방법론: Cercado 162가구의 보건조사 자료를 이용한 회귀분석 연구결과: 가장의 도시지역 취업가구의 경우 전업농 가구에 비해 아동의 단백질 섭취 빈도는 유의하게 낮은 반면, 유제품 섭취는 유의하게 높은 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 채소와 과일 섭취에서는 유의한 차이가 발견되지 않았다. 결론 및 시사점: 개발도상국의 빈곤 농촌지역에서 도시지역 취업을 통한 비농업소득은 추가소득이라는 측면에서 아동의 영양섭취에 긍정적 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 하지만 식품 현물 획득 기회의 제한, 아동 식습관 관리 소홀 등으로 오히려 아동의 영양섭취에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수도있다. 분석 결과 가장의 도시지역 취업가구의 경우 전업농 가구에 비해 아동의 단백질 섭취 빈 도는 유의하게 낮은 반면, 유제품 섭취는 유의하게 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이는 도시지역 임금이 매우 낮은 초기 도시화 단계에서는 농촌 빈곤가구의 아동이 단백질 부족에 빠질 위험이 있음을 시사한다.Objectives: Analyzing the influence of urban employment of poor rural households on children’s nutrition status in Cercado Originality: By generating additional income, urban employment of poor rural households can have positive impacts on children s nutrition. On the contrary, it may cause negative ones due to less direct accessibility to farm-products and less care of children s eating. Methods: Using regression analysis with the health survey results for 162 households in Cercado, Ecuador. Results: The protein intake of children is less frequent in urban-employed households than in pure farm households. However, the intake of dairy products demonstrates the opposite tendency in frequency between two groups. Conclusions and Implication: In urban-employed households, the low frequency of protein intake is possibly due to smaller homegrown sources of plant protein, and the high frequency of dairy product consumption is attributable to its easier purchases due to cash income and urban access. This finding implies that children in rural poor families are at risk of protein shortage in the early phase of urbanization when urban wage rates are very low.

Effect of dietary consumption as a modifier on the association between FTO gene variants and excess body weight in children from an admixed population in Brazil: the Social Changes, Asthma and Allergy in Latin America (SCAALA) cohort study.

Previous studies have shown associations of variants of the FTO gene with body weight, but none of these have involved Latin American populations with a high level of miscegenation, as is seen in the north-eastern Brazilian population. This study evaluated the association between SNP in the FTO gene and excess weight in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In addition, the effect of diet as a modifier on this association was also investigated. This cross-sectional study included 1191 participants aged 4-11 years, who were genotyped for 400 variants of the FTO gene. Direct anthropometric measures were made and dietary data were obtained by 24-h food recall. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of interest. Overall, 11·2 % of the individuals included in the study were overweight/obese. Interactions were identified between the percentage energy intake from proteins and obesity risk linked to the rs62048379 SNP (P interaction=0·01) and also between fat intake (PUFA:SFA ratio) and obesity risk linked to the rs62048379 SNP (P interaction=0·01). The T allele for the variant rs62048379 was positively associated with overweight/obesity in individuals whose percentage energy intake from protein was above the median (OR 2·00; 95 % CI 1·05, 3·82). The rs62048379 SNP was also associated with overweight/obesity in individuals whose PUFA:SFA ratio was below the median (OR 1·63; 95 % CI 1·05, 2·55). The association between FTO gene variants and excess body weight can be modulated by dietary characteristics, particularly by fatty acid distribution and dietary protein intake in children.

Dietary Protein Intake in Young Children in Selected Low-Income Countries Is Generally Adequate in Relation to Estimated Requirements for Healthy Children, Except When Complementary Food Intake Is Low

Background Previous research indicates that young children in low-income countries (LICs) generally consume greater amounts of protein than published estimates of protein requirements, but this research did not account for protein quality based on the mix of amino acids and the digestibility of ingested protein.Objective: Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of inadequate protein and amino acid intake by young children in LICs, accounting for protein quality.Methods: Seven data sets with information on dietary intake for children (6–35 mo of age) from 6 LICs (Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Uganda, and Zambia) were reanalyzed to estimate protein and amino acid intake and assess adequacy. The protein digestibility–corrected amino acid score of each child's diet was calculated and multiplied by the original (crude) protein intake to obtain an estimate of available protein intake. Distributions of usual intake were obtained to estimate the prevalence of inadequate protein and amino acid intake for each cohort according to Estimated Average Requirements.Results The prevalence of inadequate protein intake was highest in breastfeeding children aged 6–8 mo: 24% of Bangladeshi and 16% of Peruvian children. With the exception of Bangladesh, the prevalence of inadequate available protein intake decreased by age 9–12 mo and was very low in all sites (0–2%) after 12 mo of age. Inadequate protein intake in children <12 mo of age was due primarily to low energy intake from complementary foods, not inadequate protein density.Conclusions Overall, most children consumed protein amounts greater than requirements, except for the younger breastfeeding children, who were consuming low amounts of complementary foods. These findings reinforce previous evidence that dietary protein is not generally limiting for children in LICs compared with estimated requirements for healthy children, even after accounting for protein quality. However, unmeasured effects of infection and intestinal dysfunction on the children's protein requirements could modify this conclusion.

The Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Method with the Use of L-[1-13C]Leucine Suggests a Higher than Currently Recommended Protein Requirement in Children with Phenylketonuria

BackgroundPhenylketonuria is characterized by mutations in the Phe hydroxylase gene that leads to the accumulation of Phe in plasma and the brain. The standard of care for phenylketonuria is nutritional management with dietary restriction of Phe and the provision of sufficient protein and energy for growth and health maintenance. The protein requirement in children with phenylketonuria is empirically determined based upon phenylketonuria nutritional guidelines that are adjusted individually in response to biochemical markers and growth. ObjectiveWe determined dietary protein requirements in children with phenylketonuria with the use of the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique, with L-[1-13C]Leu as the indicator amino acid. MethodsFour children (2 males; 2 females) aged 9–18 y with phenylketonuria [mild hyperphenylalanemia (mHPA); 6–10 mg/dL (360–600 μmol/L)] were recruited to participate in ≥7 separate test protein intakes (range: 0.2–3.2 g ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1) with the IAAO protocol with the use of L-[1-13C]Leu followed by the collection of breath and urine samples over 8 h. The diets were isocaloric and provided energy at 1.7 times the resting energy expenditure. Protein was provided as a crystalline amino acid mixture based on an egg protein pattern, except Phe and Leu, which were maintained at a constant across intakes. Protein requirement was determined with the use of a 2-phase linear-regression crossover analysis of the rate of L-[1-13C]Leu tracer oxidation. ResultsThe mean protein requirement was determined to be 1.85 g ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1 (R2 = 0.66; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.33). This result is substantially higher than the 2014 phenylketonuria recommendations (1.14–1.33 g ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1; based on 120–140% above the current RDA for age). ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to directly define a quantitative requirement for protein intake in children with mHPA and indicates that current protein recommendations in children with phenylketonuria may be insufficient. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01965691.

THE RELATONSHIP BETWEEN THE INTAKE OF ENERGY,PROTEIN, VITAMIN A AND ZINC (Zn) AND STUNTING IN THE AGE OF EARLY PERIOD IN ENTERING SCHOOL IN CANDIREJO VILLAGE

Stunting is one of the effects of lack of nutrients that lasts a long time. Stunting can occur due to deficiency of macronutrients and macronutrients that play a role in the growth, such as energy, protein, vitamin A and zinc (Zn). The aim of this study was determine the relationship between the intake of energy, protein, vitamin A and zinc (Zn) and the incidences of stunting in children of school age in Candirejo Village This research was The study correlation with cross sectional approach. The population in this study were all first year students in Candirejo village. It obtained 56 children with total sampling method. Method of data taking used microtoise, digital scale and FFQ. Bivariate analysis used Pearson product moment and alternative test of Spearman rho (α=0,05) The average energy intake in children was 86.5% RDA. The average protein intake in children was 106.3% RDA. The average intake of vitamin A in children was 111.9% RDA. The average intake of zinc in children was 64.4% RDA. From 56 childs 37,5% was stunting and 62,5% no stunting. There was no relationship between the intake of energy, protein and vitamin A with the incidences of stunting (p = 0.129, p = 0.139, p = 0.200), and there was a correlation between zinc intake with the incidences of stunting (p = 0.014) There was no relationship between the intake of energy, protein and vitamin A with the incidences of stunting in children of school-age in Candirejo village. There was a relationship between zinc intake with the incidences of stunting in school-age children in the Candirejo village.

Differing urinary urea excretion among children with idiopathic hypercalciuria and/or hyperuricosuria

Objective To estimate dietary protein intake in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria (HC) and/or hyperuricosuria (HU). Patients and methods We compared the 24-h urinary excretion of urea, as a reflection of protein intake, in four age- and sex-matched groups, each comprising 56 consecutive children: (1) HC, (2) HU, (3) HC + HU and (4) control. Results Urinary urea excretion was significantly higher in HC, HU and HC + HU than in controls. HC and HU children had similar urea excretion. HC + HU children had urinary urea significantly higher than HC and HU, but urinary calcium similar to HC and urinary uric acid excretion similar to HU subjects. Urinary calcium was significantly ( R 2 = 0.21) correlated with urea excretion in HC children only, whereas urinary uric acid was significantly ( R 2 = 0.21) correlated with urinary urea in HU children only. No significant correlation between urinary urea and calcium or uric acid excretion was found in HC + HU patients although they had the highest urinary urea. A significant ( p = 0.004) interaction between urinary urea and sodium in increasing urinary calcium excretion resulted only in the HC group. Conclusion The association of dietary protein excess with HC and/or HU is conditioned by an individual (genetic?) predisposition and may be produced by different mechanisms.

Protein intake in children

Protein intake in children

Public Health Nutrition: A Comparative Study of the Nutritional Status of Children in Villages in Northern Nigeria Using and Not Using Soya Beans

The nutritional status of 240 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years in communities that use or do not use soya beans was evaluated by conventional methods. There were significant differences (p &lt;.05) in the nutritional status of pre-school (2–5 yr) and school-age children (6–15 yr) in the three communities. Using weight-for-height as an index of acute malnutrition, 32.5%, 25.5%, and 22.6% of preschool children were normal in Kurmin Masara, Kaya, and Makera, respectively, as were 44.6%, 24.4%, and 21.7% of school-age children. Kurmin Masara, a community producing and using soya beans, had a significantly higher percentage (p &lt; .05) of nutritionally normal and a lower percentage of severely malnourished children than the other two villages. Generally, malnutrition was more pronounced in school-age children in the three communities. Soya bean accounted for 34.4%, 28.5%, and 1.3% of the protein intake of children 2 to 15 years of age in Kurmin Masara, Kaya, and Makera, respectively. Our findings appear to validate the importance of soya bean in the diet of children, especially in this period of economic recession when animal protein sources are very expensive. Extension service efforts are necessary in Nigeria and other African countries to increase soya bean production and use to improve the nutritional status of the population, particularly young children.

Studies on protein and energy requirements in China

Protein and energy requirements of different population groups in China have been studied. Together with the data from other countries, Recommended Dietary Allowances were established and were revised in 1962 and again in 1976. The average BMR of 19 male subjects aged 20–30 was 37.8 kcal/min/m 2 of body surface. The average energy expenditure of 16 male college students was 2420 kcal/day, and the energy absorbed was 2976 kcal/day. The energy expenditure of 6 female students was 2170 kcal/day. There was a wide variation of energy expenditure among workers and peasants according to the intensity of work. From dietary surveys on the senior middle school boys, the energy intake of adolescents was 2618–3938, which is near or above the RDA. The calorie intake of 8 infants in a metabolic study was 100–200 kcal/kg/day. From nitrogen balance studies, the daily protein requirements of Chinese young adults and infants under 6 months of age consuming soybean milk substitute were determined to be 1.0 g/kg, and 4.5 g/kg respectively. Dietary surveys showed that the protein intake of children with 2–3 years of age was about 30–40 g/kg/day. The traditional Chinese diet with high plant protein and crude fiber content may be beneficial in preventing coronary heart disease. However, the question of absorption and utilization of protein and energy requires further investigation. The effect of meal frequency in relation to the health of the student has been studied, but further study is necessary. Based on our experience over the last 30 years, food rationing determined by age and physical activity appears to be the most efficient method of fighting hunger and malnutrition.