Nutritional status of schoolgirls in Isfahan, Iran: Urine composition

Abstract

A comparison of the excretion of urinary metabolites was made between seven years old schoolgirls from the upper and lower socioeconomic strata. The hydroxyproline index was lower in the children from the lower income groups, thus agreeing with anthropometric data which indicated that the children probably had lower growth rates than the children of professional people. No difference in protein status was found, but the results of urinary sulfate and nitrogen indicated that the amino acid composition of the dietary protein was a function of socioeconomic status. Children of professional people excreted four times as much riboflavin as those in the lower socioeconomic strata. Professionals' children also excreted significantly more vitamin C. No significant differences were found for thiamin or N-methyl nicotinamide. In the light of these findings, certain recommendations are made for improving school meal feeding in Iran.