Comparative analysis of growth, diet, and urinary N excretion in elementary school children from urban and rural areas of Korea.
Weight and height measurements, dietary intake records and overnight urine samples for two days were collected from 38 children in Seoul and 36 children in rural area of Korea. Median percentages of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height of the children in Seoul were significantly higher than those of the rural children. A mild degree of stunting was prevalent in the rural area, while overweight was more dominant among the children in Seoul. Dietary intake of energy, protein and fat as well as urinary excretions of N and creatine were also higher in the Seoul children. Animal protein intake correlated most significantly with height-for-age. Fat intake was a more important factor for weight-for-age and weight-for-height. Urinary excretion of N or creatinine, together with dietary factors, was a significant independent variable in regression models for the growth indices of the children. The results show the heterogeneity of nutritional problems among different subgroups of the Korean population at the present time.
Paik
H Y
HY
Department of Food and Nutrition, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
Hwang
S H
SH
Lee
S P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000652:urine*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population
D009584:Nitrogen