Milk lactoferrin (LF), lysozyme (LZ), and secretory IgA (sIgA) were measured cross-sectionally in 127 Zaïrean mothers, lactating greater than or equal to 18 mo. The 54 urban mothers were of marginal nutrition status [body mass index (BMI) 22.6 +/- 2.6 kg/m2 and albumin 33.1 +/- 4.5 g/L]. The neighboring rural mothers were of significantly (P less than 0.001) poorer nutrition status (BMI 20.5 +/- 2.2 kg/m2 and albumin 27.7 +/- 5.4 g/L). In both urban and rural mothers, as lactation progressed LF decreased by 33% and 55% whereas sIgA remained unchanged and LZ steadily increased. There was more LZ and sIgA in rural milk, contrasting with the poorer maternal nutrition. As calculated from individual milk yields, the urban infants were fed daily with twice as much LF and sIgA but with similar amounts of LZ as were the rural infants. In the early stage of lactation, the milk of both groups of Zaïrean mothers contains more sIgA than that of a group of west European (Belgian) mothers (n = 20), but the LF and LZ contents were rather similar.
This paper reviews the effects of storage and bacterial content contaminating human milk on some milk constituents. Moreover, it reviews the inhibitory effect of refrigeration and freezing on bacterial growth. Our results suggest that the type and length of storage have an effect on some milk constituents, that this effect is modulated by the bacterial contamination of the milk and that refrigeration has a significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth which is not observed after freezing. This stresses the importance of collecting noncontaminated milk and justifies the choice of refrigeration at 0-4°C for storage up to 8 days.
This study indicates that prevalence of obesity is particularly high in Belgium. Low level of education and reduced physical activity, increased fat intake and especially elevated fat to sugar ratio appear to be powerful determinants of obesity in this Belgian population.
Belgium can be divided in 4 major geographical areas: two Dutch speaking areas in the north (Campine and Flanders), a French speaking area in the south (Wallonia) and the Brussels area in between. Significant differences in mean serum cholesterol levels were observed with the lowest level in Campine, intermediate in Flanders and Brussels, and the highest level in Wallonia. Similar differences were observed in the prevalence of CHD and mortality from CHD is also higher in the French speaking part of the country. A survey of food habits since 1959 shows a higher butter and lower soft margarine consumption in the south. However, differences in smoking habits and personality traits also exist.
From early adolescence on, social inequality influences the prevalence of obesity in Belgian girls, but not in Belgian boys nor in immigrant children. Prevention of obesity should take into account the influence of gender, social class and ethnic origin.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.