Nutritional status studies in Monongalia County, West Virginia

Abstract

In 1950-52, studies were made of 430 third and fourth grade school children in Monongalia County, West Virginia, to obtain information concerning dietary intake, blood levels of various nutrients, and the incidence of certain physical signs thought to be associated with malnutrition. These studies indicated that children living in small mining communities had poorer diets and lower blood levels than those living in urban areas. These nutritional status studies were extended in 1952 to include 462 grade school and junior high school children from four mining communities in Monongalia County. In 1953, studies also were made on 57 adults and 137 children from 39 families living in mining areas. These studies included only microchemical blood tests and medical inspections. Although no diet studies were made, there were indications that the inadequate diets observed for the school children were common to other family members. Dietary information for the school children was obtained from seven consecutive 24-hour recalls of all food eaten. This information indicated that calcium, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin were the nutrients most frequently needed in larger amounts. The microchemical analyses also indicated a need for more ascorbic acid and vitamin A in the diets of many children in all age groups. Physical inspections of the subjects in this study revealed more signs of deficiencies generally related to poor diets than were observed in similar subjects in Maine and New York. However, most of the signs noted were given a low intensity rating. A number of children had mild cases of gingivitis and cheilosis, which are sometimes attributed to deficiencies of riboflavin, niacin, iron, and ascorbic acid. Some children also exhibited slight enlargement of the thyroid gland. Often this is caused by a lack of iodine. These physical symptoms are important since they may be indicative of inadequate nutrition over long periods. Most diets could have been improved to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances of the National Research Council by the addition of more milk, citrus fruits, green and yellow vegetables, and whole grain cereals.