Nutritional status of Mexican American preschool children in a border town

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Abstract
One hundred seventy preschool children of Mexican descent were evaluated for nutritional status. Results from physical measurements, dietary, biochemical, dental evaluations and medical histories are reported. One-third of the children had heights one or more standard deviations below the mean of Iowa Growth Standards while one-fourth of the children had weights below the 16th percentile. Twelve percent of the children did not meet two-thirds of the 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for energy; all children ingested more than two-thirds of 1968 RDA for protein. Protein supplied 11–12%, fat 35–40%, and carbohydrate 46–54% of the energy. Eleven percent of the children did not meet two-thirds of the RDA for calcium; 44% for iron; 13% for thiamin; none for riboflavin; 23% for preformed niacin; 7% for vitamin A; and 29% for ascorbic acid. None of the subjects had low plasma total protein or albumin values. Slightly more than half of the children exhibited iron deficiency based on determinations of serum iron and iron-binding capacity. Less than 1% had low plasma vitamin A levels while 9% had plasma ascorbic acid values of < 0.3 mg/ 100 ml. Essentially all children had adequate levels of thiamin, riboflavin, and iodine in urine. Some 90% of the children over 3 years of age were in need of dental care. A high percentage of children had not been immunized while the rate of childhoon diseases was higher among the study population than is found in the United States as a whole.

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