The effect of a traditional low-fat diet on energy and protein intake, serum albumin concentration and body-weight in Ugandan preschool children

Abstract

1. A group of ten Ugandan children were given, ad lib., under supervision, the traditional home diet and their intakes of energy and protein and changes in body-weight and concentrations of serum albumin compared with those of a similar group of nine children fed on a milk-based diet with the same protein concentration.2. The energy and protein intakes of the children fed on the home diet were significantly lower than those of the children fed on the milk-based diet, as was their rate of weight gain and serum albumin regeneration.3. The significance of the findings is discussed in relation to the low intakes of energy and protein and the hypoalbuminaemia found in Ugandan preschool children.