The State of Nutrition of Urban Black Children in the U. S. A.: The Role of Day Care Services in the Prevention of Nutritional Anemia

Abstract

A study of dietary intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate and iron, along with determinations of hemogram, serum iron, iron binding capacity, transferrin, transferrin saturation and plasma proteins, was done on 26 Day Care children and 15 non-Day Care controls, aged 7 to 32 months, all registered in a Children and Youth health care program. Significant differences favoring the Day Care children were limited to HGB and HCT in the older children, and HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, transferrin, and iron binding capacity in the younger children. Daily intakes calculated from nutritional history obtained from the parent or observed in the Day Care unit showed average iron intake low in all children. As a result of these findings, it is suggested that children under two years of age be afforded preference over older children when spaces are available in Day Care Centers, and that the dietary intakes of these children be examined carefully to ensure that they are receiving optimal nutrients.