Diet and Nutritional Status of Iowa School Children

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Abstract
Food habits, nutrient intake, and nutrition of approximately 1200 public school children in Iowa were studied. The core of the diets consisted of liberal amounts of meat, potatoes, sweet desserts, table fat, and bread and other cereal foods with somewhat less than recommended amounts of milk, and of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Hence many children had diets low in Ca, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Some evidences of these dietary conditions were found in the blood. Striking changes in trend of nutrient intake by girls were noted between the ages of 12 and 13. Teen-age and oversize girls were conspicuous for their poor diets, and for them body size and nutrient intake seemed unrelated. Physical measurements and hemoglobin concentrations indicated a fairly satisfactory state of nutrition. Serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations revealed the usual age-sex trends. With Iowa school children principal health problems with nutritional implications presently apparent are dental caries and weight control, particularly for teen-age girls.
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