Nutritional status of children, inmates of a small institution for homeless children in the capital of the State of S. Paulo, Brazil

Authors

  • Donald Wilson University of S. Paulo; School of Public Health; Department of Nutrition
  • Maria José Roncada University of S. Paulo; School of Public Health; Department of Nutrition
  • Rosa Nilda Mazzilli University of S. Paulo; School of Public Health; Department of Nutrition
  • Maria Lucia F. Cavalcanti University of S. Paulo; School of Public Health; Department of Nutrition
  • Dino B. G. Pattoli University of S. Paulo; School of Public Health; Department of Epidemiology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101980000300003

Keywords:

Nutrition surveys, Child nutrition, Diet, Dietary proteins, Calcium^i1^sdiet

Abstract

Nutritional surveys (food consumption, clinical and biochemichal) were conducted in a small institution for homeless children. Results showed that only 30% of the children presented adequate calorie intake. Most of the children presented adequate protein intake, but almost half consumed less than 2/3 of the calcium RDA considered necessary. Food handling, processing, and distribution also proved inadequate and wastage, high. Skinfold measurement showed up one case of obesity. Furthermore, most of the children presented clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency, mostly skin lesions; while about half presented clinical signs of riboflavin deficiency. Biochemical data showed that 63.6% had deficient plasma levels of vitamin A, none showed abnormal results for riboflavin excretion, four showed packed blood cell volume below normal, and all had normal hemoglobin levels. Stool examinations revealed a high rate of pathogenic protozoa (Hymenolepis nana), in fact, one of the highest in Brazilian literature.

Downloads

Published

1980-09-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Wilson, D., Roncada, M. J., Mazzilli, R. N., Cavalcanti, M. L. F., & Pattoli, D. B. G. (1980). Nutritional status of children, inmates of a small institution for homeless children in the capital of the State of S. Paulo, Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 14(3), 300-309. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101980000300003