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The effects of supplements varying in carotene and calcium content on the physical, biochemical and skeletal status of preschool children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

R. Rajalakshmi ,
S. S. Sail ,
D. G. Shah  and
S. K. Ambady
R. Rajalakshmi
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, India
S. S. Sail
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, India
D. G. Shah
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, India
S. K. Ambady
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, India
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Abstract

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1. Studies were made of the effects of food supplements varying in carotene and calcium content on the nutritional status of children aged 2–6 years. Three groups of children who were given a dietary supplement for 6 months and a fourth group of controls were investigated. The supplement was the fermented food dhokla, made of wheat and Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.) (group 1) or dhokla with added greens (group 2) or dhokla with added greens (fenugreek) and lime powder (a mixture of CaO, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3) (group 3).

2. Studies were made of the effects of the above supplements on height, weight, skeletal status as judged by increments in bone age and cortical thickness of the second metacarpal bone and femur, and biochemical status as judged by the composition of blood (haemoglobin), serum (protein, albumin and vitamin A) and urine (creatinine, nitrogen, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C).

3. All the groups given the supplement were found to be superior to the controls as judged by these criteria. The size of the increment generally increased from group 1 to group 3 and the differences were most marked for bone age and cortical thickness.

4. The results suggested that (a) calcium deficiency is a crucial factor in the aetiology of skeletal retardation in young children and (b) that at the levels of calcium (560 mg) and phosphorus (980 mg) consumed, and with liberal exposure to sunlight, a dietary supply of vitamin D may not be a crucial factor for skeletal development in young children.

Type
Clinical and Human Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , July 1973 , pp. 77 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1973

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