Determinants of growth among poor children. I. Food and nutrient intakes.

One hundred sixty-seven poor families living in Lima had yearly anthropometric and socioeconomic evaluations for up to 16 years. In 26 of these a 7-day individually-weighed food survey was carried out in 1972 to 1974, immediately following a national food consumption survey. Adult males were markedly under-represented in the survey and probably to a lesser degree in the national one. Mean daily intakes of energy (1975 +/- 498 kcal), total protein (41.1 +/- 12.1 g), and animal protein (14.4 +/- 8.1 g) fell between those of the first and second economic deciles of the city in the national survey, which is where mean incomes were estimated to be. Intakes of the few adult males were approximately 50% higher than the family means, those of adult females approximately 12% lower. Nutrient intakes of the few infants in the survey were markedly different from those of the 2- to 19-year-old children, being heavily dependent on cow milk. There were no significant differences in intake between boys and girls. Children over 2 years of age derived almost 50% of energy and protein from cereals (notably wheat and rice), 11.2% of energy from sugar, 4.3% of energy and 11% of protein for legumes, 4.4% of energy and 14.7% of protein from meat, and 13% of energy from separated fats. Total fat represented 21.8% of energy in their diet. These sources of energy and protein were very similar to those found in the lowest two deciles of the national survey from Lima.