DSpace Community: Department of Human Nutrition

STUDIES ON PROTEIN-ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF YOUNG ADULT FEMALES IN NIGERIA

1984-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: STUDIES ON PROTEIN-ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF YOUNG ADULT FEMALES IN NIGERIA Authors: EGUN, G. N. Abstract: A series of studies were carried out to determine the protein and energy requirements of young adult women in Nigeria. The requirements were estimated from nitrogen balance studies while the subjects were fed their habitual diet. All subjects maintained a constant-level of physical activity throughout the study period. The data generated from these studies were used along with FAO/WHO (1981) recommendations for other age groups to compute the per caput protein and energy requirements for a projected 1990 population of Nigeria. Nitrogen excretion was determined from the measurement of nitrogen in a total collection of urine, faeces, sweat, and menstrual fluids. The study was divided into three major phases. The first phase of the study involved the estimation of the minimum protein requirement. With a total of twelve healthy female adults of the university of Ibadan aged 21 to 32 years, short-term nitrogen balance studies were conducted using four graded levels of protein (0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) at an energy intake of 41 kCal kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. Urinary and sweat nitrogen were found to increase significantly with increase in protein intake. Faecal nitrogen however was not affected. Obligatory nitrogen losses were calculated as 22.08, 13.23 and 5.0 mg N kg⁻¹day⁻¹ for urine, faeces and sweat respectively, from regression equations relating losses to nitrogen intake. Total obligatory nitrogen loss, thus added up to 40.31 mgN kg⁻¹day⁻¹. Nitrogen balance with the four protein levels were -15.48, -5.30, +6.15 and +12.08 mg N kg⁻¹day⁻¹ in an ascending order of protein intake (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6q kg⁻¹day⁻¹) respectively. The calculated minimum nitrogen requirement was 76.0mg N kg⁻¹day⁻¹ (0.475 g protein kg⁻¹day⁻¹). Estimates of allowances for individual variation to cover 97.5% of the population (2 SD) was 95.0 mg kg⁻¹day⁻¹ (approx. 0.6g protein kg⁻¹ day⁻¹). Net protein utilization (NPU) of the diet was 54 and the biological value was 56. True digestibility of the diet protein was 96% while the apparent digestibility was 77%. The second phase of the work involved the effect of varying energy intake on the estimated minimum requirement as well as estimating the average energy requirement. Thirteen young women aged 21 - 32 years participated in the nitrogen balance study, fed on 0.47g protein kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ at two levels of dietary energy, 48.4 ± 3.70 and 33.76 ± 2.86 kCal kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ representing high and low energy intakes. Nitrogen balances were -8.26±5.61 and +10.82±6.35 mg N kg⁻¹ with the low and high energy intakes respectively. Nitrogen Balance was improved by 133 mg N/100 kCal of energy intake. The NPU of the diet was altered by the 43% increase in energy intake by 1.0-3.5 units/Kcal/kg body wt. Energy requirement was estimated on the basis of body weight maintenance, nitrogen balance and energy balance. The mean values from the three estimates were 40.05, 40.41 and 40.3 kCal kg⁻¹ respectively. Thus giving a grand mean of 40.25 kCal kg⁻¹. The third phase of the study involved a 40-day metabolic N-balance period to evaluate the long term effect of the estimated protein and energy requirements using eleven young women. The subjects received a diet providing 0.6g protein kg⁻¹day⁻¹ (safe level of protein intake) and 40 kcal kg⁻¹day⁻¹ of energy intake. All subjects except three were in positive nitrogen balance with a mean of +5.84 ± 8.59 by the end of the dietary period. The nitrogen balance data and the fairly stable blood biochemical parameter with constant body weight indicated that 0.6g protein kg⁻¹day⁻¹ at 40 kcal kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ of energy intake is sufficient to achieve N-equilibrium in a majority of young adult females. Based on this recommendation for adult females along with the recommendations for other age groups according to the FAO/WHO ad hoc Committee (1981), the per Caput protein and energy requirements for a projected 1990 population of Nigeria were estimated at 55.4 g protein day⁻¹ and 2335.4 kCal day⁻¹of energy intake. Description: A Thesis in the Department of Human Nutrition submitted to the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Ibadan

GLYCAEMIC RESPONSES TO SOME NIGERIAN STAPLE FOODS

1998-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: GLYCAEMIC RESPONSES TO SOME NIGERIAN STAPLE FOODS Authors: WILLIAMS, I. T. Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the influence of the mode of preparation of Nigerian staple foods on postprandial glycaemia and to determine the metabolic effects of different types of dietary fibre in these foods. The usefulness of the concept Glycaemic index was also discussed. To determine the effect of different foods on plasma glucose levels. Cassava and Beans were processed using two different methods of processing and administered to a group of sixteen healthy, young adults and a group of ten non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The meals (Eba, Lafun, Boiled Beans and Moinmoin-dehulled, blended and steamed) were served in iso-glucide and isocaloric portions and as part of a mixed meal. Plasma glucose levels were measured over four hours and expressed as a percentage of the area under the glucose response curve when the same amount of carbohydrate was taken as glucose. Peak values, incremental peak values and peak time were also calculated. The mean glucose response was lowest following the ingestion of Boiled beans in the two groups and Lafun in the normal, healthy group. Mixed meal glycaemic responses were blunted with the co-ingestion of protein and fat in the normal group but not significantly different in the diabetic subjects. The dietary fibre content (soluble, insoluble and total) of the meals were determined. Total dietary fibre content was higher in the beans meals compared with the Cassava group. However, the ratio of soluble fibre to insoluble dietary was higher in the cassava group. A positive significant relationship was observed between postprandial glucose rise (incremental peak value and area under the curve) and soluble fibre content of the test meals but not with the insoluble dietary fibre content. The study confirms that starchy meals induces different glycaemic responses depending on the source of the starch used also on the extent of processing the food is subjected to as in the case of the bean meals. The addition of protein and fat to the starchy foods attenuated the postprandial glycaemia. Description: A Thesis in the Department of Human Nutrition submitted to the faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Ibadan.

EFFECT OF MATERNAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THEIR INFANTS

1998-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: EFFECT OF MATERNAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THEIR INFANTS Authors: OGUNDAHUNSI, O. A. Abstract: Effects of maternal nutritional status and maternal dietary supplementation, on the growth of suckling infants, breast-feeding patterns. Prolactin concentration, return of menstruation and ovulation were studied in 162 marginally malnourished mother- infant pairs. Subjects were randomised into two study groups. One group of 8 mothers received 40g Australian high protein, high-energy biscuits and served as supplemented subjects. The second group of 79 mothers did not receive any nutritional supplement and served as controls. The subjects were followed up monthly until their second menstruation. Anthropometric measurements, information on breast feeding patterns and infant's breast milk intake were recorded at each visit. In addition, blood samples (5mls) were obtained at least one and a half hours before a breast feeding episode and thirty minutes after the commencement of a breast feeding episode for prolactin estimation. Aliquots of the blood sample were used for haemoglobin and albumin estimations. The subjects were visited at home at least three times week to collect early morning urine samples for pregnandiol-3-alpha glucuronide and estrone-3-glucuronide determinations and to ensure compliance with dietary supplements. There were no significant differences in the frequency of daytime and night time breast feeding, and mean duration of breast feeding episodes in the two groups of mothers through-out the follow up period (P>0.05). A similar growth pattern was recorded for infants of the two groups of mothers. Significant differences were observed in some anthropometric measurements between the two groups of mothers, within six months or commencement of supplementation. Body mass index increased from 20.2 to 21 at the end of the sixth month in the supplemented subjects and it was reduced from 20.5 to 20.2 in the control subjects. The increase in Body mass index of the supplemented mothers was not significant (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between milk output and daily energy expenditure of both groups. The overall prevalence of breast-feeding was high (98-69%) in the first 4 months of life but it reduced to less than 50% by the 7 month. Most of the mothers gave -water to their babies in addition to breast milk. None of the infants was wet nursed or showed preference for the left breast. Only 2% of infants of the supplemented mothers and 3% of infants of the control mothers showed preference for the right breast. There were no significant differences between the basal and suckling-induced Prolactin concentrations in the two groups of mothers studied, thus showing a supplementation of the mothers' dirt had no effect on the concentration of the blood Prolactin levels. There was no significant difference between the duration of lactational amenorrhoea of the two groups of mothers. Prolactin concentration and suckling induced Prolactin concentrations declined in parallel to suckling activity with time postpartum. The return of fertility (ovarian cyclic activity) postpartum was monitored by the onset of follicular development and ovulation in the first and second menstruation in the two group of mothers. The urinary concentration of pregnanediol-3. alpha glucuronide and Estrone-3- glucuconide was used to determine the level of ovarian cyclic activity. The result showed that even when menstruation has occurred, there were still a lot of irregularities in the follicular development and ovulation of the lactating women. The results of this study indicate that dietary supplementation of the marginally malnourished mother did not affect the growth of the infants, breast-feeding patterns and the duration of lactational amenorrhoea of the mothers. Description: A Thesis in the Department of Human Nutrition submitted to the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of University of Ibadan.

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN ENERGY INTAKE, EXPENDITURE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF STUDENTS IN A NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

1994-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN ENERGY INTAKE, EXPENDITURE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF STUDENTS IN A NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Authors: ONIMAWO, I. A. Abstract: Studies were carried out using students of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria, on energy intake, energy expenditure and body composition. There were two groups of students - the longitudinal and the cross sectional groups. The longitudinal group participated in the three studies while the cross sectional group took part in two, that is energy intake and body composition studies. On the whole, 104 students participated in the experiments all aged between 18 and 30 years. Out of this number, 41 students took part in the longitudinal study while 63 took part in the cross sectional study. The three studies took place simultaneously in eight experiments covering a period of 19 months. The first study was on energy and dietary intake. The dietary survey methods used were 7-days weighed inventory and 24 -hour recall for the longitudinal and cross sectional groups respectively. Food samples were chemically analysed to determine nutrient content. It was found that both methods accurately estimated energy and nutrients intakes as the differences between them were not statistically significant (P>0.05). It was also found that foods collected at different seasons did not differ significantly in their nutrients content (P>0.05). Mean energy intake for the longitudinal group were 9.87 MJ (2362±146 Kcal/d) and 8.48 MJ (2028 ± 137 Kcal/day) for males and females respectively. Corresponding energy values for the cross-sectional group were 9.30 MJ (2225 Kca/d) and 8.14 MJ (1948 ± 29Kcal) for males and females respectively. For both males and females and in both groups, carbohydrate, fat and protein contributed about 75%, 13% and 12% respectively to the total energy intake. Moreover, the vegetable protein component of the total protein intake was over 70%. There were significant within individual and between group variations in energy intake in both sexes (P<0.05). Mean energy intake was significantly correlated with body weight (r=0.42) and body fat (r = 0.34) in males and highly correlated in females, (r m= 0.72) and (r= 0.77) for body weight and fat respectively. There were no significant differences in energy intake between the rainy and dry seasons in both sexes. Among the males, the influence of socio-economic background was also not significant (P>0.05). However, in the females socio-economic background significantly influenced their energy and nutrient intake. The second study was on energy expenditure and only the longitudinal group participated in this phase. Factorial method was used for the total energy expenditure (TEE). This method was validated against the intake-balance technique. In factorial method, Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation/United Nation University (FAO/WHO/UNN (1985) prediction equations were used for estimating Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and energy cost values were obtained from Literature. The predicted mean BMR values ranged from 4.56 MJ (1091.35 ± 14.70 Kcal) to 6.75 MJ (1615.04 ± 64.99 Kcal) for the females and ranged from 6.08 MJ (1455.48 ± 11.48 Kcal) to 7.49 MJ (1793.03 ± 23.87 Kcal) for the males. Both BMR and BMR/kg body weight for males were significantly different from those of the females (P<0.05). However, when expressed per kilogram lean body mass (LBM), the differences were no longer significant. Mean TEE for males was 11.84 MJ (2832.93 ± 71.84 Kcal) and 9.47 MJ (2264.63 ± 72.52 Kcal) for females. The TEE and TEE/kg body weight were significantly different between males and females. The differences were removed when TEE was expressed per kilogram LBM. This showed that LBM was the major determinant in BMR and TEE. Energy expenditure was highly correlated with energy intake in both males (r = 0.72) and females (r = 0.94). Mean TEE was significantly different from the mean daily energy intake in both sexes. There were however, no significant seasonal variations in energy expenditure. The third study was on body composition. Anthropometric method was employed alongside the measurement of skinfold thicknesses. Skinfold thicknesses were measured at triceps, biceps, subscapular, breast, abdominal and suprailiac sites and, body weight and height were also determined. Mean height for the male longitudinal group was 172.31 ± 0.4 cm while that of the females was 161.16 ± 5.14 cm. Corresponding values for the cross-sectional group were 171.40 ± 5.97 cm and 163.59 ± 5.03 cm for males and females respectively. The mean body weights for the longitudinal group were 61.27 ± 1.28 kg and 57.64 ± 1.53 kg for males and females respectively. Corresponding values for the cross- sectional group were 59.29 ± 5.93 kg and 58.85 ± 7.12 kg for males and females respectively. Body weight correlated poorly with skinfold thicknesses in males (r = 0.21) while it correlated highly in females (r = 0.78). Total skinfold thicknesses were significantly higher in females than the males (P<0.05). Body mass index (BMI) were 20.63 and 22.13 for males and females respectively. This value for females was higher than what is desirable while that of the males was lower than the desirable value, using body scale index of British Fogarty Conference on Obesity of 1983. Mean optimum weights were 65.82 ± 74 kg and 57.55 ± 62 kg for males and females respectively using Mohr and Johnsen's (1974) formula. The values were 68.30 ± 0.31 kg and 59.11± 0.25 kg for male and females respectively when Ott 's formula (1963) was used. A different rapid method for determining optimum weight was devised from this research. It compared favourably with Ott's (1963) method but differs from Mohr's and Johnsen's (1972) method. Its ease of use makes it applicable to social and epidemiological researches. LBM contributed about 87% to the Total body weight in males and about 75% in females, thus exhibiting sexual dimorphism. About half of the females studied had relative weight more than 100% which means having body weight higher than what is optimally desirable. The males had normal body weight by Mohr's (1979) relative weight standards. However, by Jelliffe's (1966) standard, the males were within 90- 94% of the weight-for-height while the females were within 100 - 104%. There were no significant changes in body composition between the raining and dry seasons (P>0.05). There were however, significant differences in body composition between the upper socio-economic class and the lower socio-economic class. This is an indication that changes in body composition and energy intake are more of a reflection of the financial status of the individual than it is with seasonal influence. Description: A Thesis submitted to the Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.