Dietary intakes of twenty-six preadolescent girls

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to study the self-selected dietary intakes and some of the food practices of twenty-six preadolescent girls as determined from two-week dietary records and to compare the calculated self-selected intakes with Recommended Dietary Allowances of the National Research Council.

Subjects between the ages of seven and nine years and in the height-weight range considered normal for this sex-age group were chosen. After different methods of dietary survey were considered the two-week record of food intake was used. Forms and instructions for recording data were given to the mothers and they recorded foods consumed by the subjects in household measurements. Nutrient intakes for each subject were calculated using United States Department of Agriculture Handbook Number 8.

The mean dietary intakes for all subjects were equal to or above allowances of the National Research Council. The seven year old group had higher nutrient intakes than the eight or nine year old groups.

Food habits were studied. The consumption of about a quart of milk per day per subject and the practice of eating substantial breakfasts were practices to which credit was due for above average rating in nutrient intake.

Since girls in this study were to be subjects in a metabolism balance study to follow, it was imperative that their typical food intakes be at least equal to and compare favorably with the average for this age group. Their dietary histories and their physical examinations proved them to be entirely acceptable.