Validity of reported energy intake in obese and nonobese adolescents

Article Abstract:

There is still much controversy in the area of obesity research. While many believe obese persons simply eat more than thin persons, some studies have reported that overweight subjects consumed the same amount of calories, or even fewer calories, than normal-weight subjects. Recently researchers have explained that if individuals continue to be obese, despite a reduced energy intake, they must burn calories more slowly, perhaps because of a low metabolic rate; consequently, they require less food to maintain their weight. These theories are based upon a critical assumption: the obese subjects accurately reported how much they were eating. Few studies have included actual observation of what the subjects ate, as a means of verifying that they were honest and accurate in their reports. There has only been one study of adolescents in which the subjects' intake was observed, and the results showed that the obese boys did eat more than their normal-weight brothers. In the current study, 28 nonobese and 27 obese adolescent boys and girls, aged 12 to 18 years, kept food records for two weeks. Before being sent home to keep dietary records, they were trained to estimate portion size, and were tested on their ability to do so accurately. Their energy expenditure was also measured, using a technique known as doubly labeled water. The reported energy intake of both groups was significantly lower than their energy expenditure, meaning that both groups underestimated how much they were eating (adjustments were made for weight gains or losses). However, the obese group underestimated more dramatically than the nonobese group; the calories reportedly consumed represented only 59 percent and 81 percent of the energy expended, respectively. It was concluded that the food records of both the obese and nonobese adolescents were inaccurate to the extent that the reported intakes did not represent either the energy expenditure or the energy needs of the subjects. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Measurement, Causes of, Obesity, Teenagers, Youth, Food habits

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Consumption of food and nutrients by infants in Huascar (Lima), Peru

Article Abstract:

Malnutrition and infectious diseases are a great threat to the welfare of infants and children in Latin America and other regions of the developing world. They contribute to higher morbidity and mortality than are observed in industrialized countries. A recent survey from Huascar, Peru indicated that more than one-third of the children under three years of age were malnourished, and that the infant mortality rate was roughly 60 deaths per 1,000 live births. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the consumption of breast milk, liquids, and foods by 131 poor Peruvian infants during their first year of life. Macronutrients were analyzed in milk samples; foods and liquids were weighed at preparation and consumption; and nutrient content was estimated from food composition tables. The average energy intake increased with age, but declined from 95 to 78 percent of the recommended amounts during the first year. Average protein intake was above recommended levels, but more than one-third of the infants received less than 80 percent of the recommended intake from six to twelve months of age. Breast milk provided the major source of energy, and together with cow milk supplied more than half the energy and protein intake during the second six months of life. In addition, cereals were an important source of energy and protein. Calcium, thiamin and ascorbic acid intakes were less than recommended. This study demonstrates the importance of breast milk as a major source of nutrients during the first year of life. It also highlights the need for improvement in the quantity and nutritional quality of complementary foods during the second six months of life. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Infants, Peru, Breast feeding, Diet therapy, Nutrition disorders in infants

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