Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #116319
Title: EVIDENCE FOR IMPAIRED REGULATION OF ENERGY INTAKE IN NUTRITIONALLY STUNTED CHILDREN FROM THE SHANTYTOWNS OF SAN PAULO, BRAZIL

Author
item HOFMAN, DANIEL - HNRCA
item SAWAYA, ANA - HNRCA
item MARTINS, PAULA - HNRCA
item DE NASCIMENTO, CELIA - HNRCA
item ROBERTS, SUSAN - HNRCA

Submitted to: Obesity Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2000
Publication Date: 11/1/2000
Citation: HOFMAN, D.J., SAWAYA, A.L., MARTINS, P.A., DE NASCIMENTO, C., ROBERTS, S.B. EVIDENCE FOR IMPAIRED REGULATION OF ENERGY INTAKE IN NUTRITIONALLY STUNTED CHILDREN FROM THE SHANTYTOWNS OF SAN PAULO, BRAZIL. OBESITY RESEARCH. 2000.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Countries in transition, such as China, Brazil, and South Africa, have begun to see an increase in overweight and obesity. We tested the hypothesis that stunted children have eating behaviors different from control counterparts that may contribute to the development of obesity under favorable environmental conditions. 56 children were selected from population surveys of 3 shantytowns in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The stunted group had height for age z-scores (HAZ) less than -1.50 while those in the control had HAZ greater than -1.50. All children had a weight-for-height (WHZ) less than 2.0 and the groups were matched for age and WHZ. Parental height and weight were measured when possible. Energy intake was measured during a 3-day resident period in a metabolic research unit in which all foods were prepared by the research staff according to standard recipes. A standard menu of foods familiar to and accepted by the population was provided. Snacks were provided on request only during the afternoons. Free-living total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labeled water technique during the week prior to inpatient study. There was no significant difference in energy intake or total energy expenditure adjusted for body composition. Energy intake /kg of body weight was higher in the stunted group compared to the control group. Influence of the group on the relationship between energy intake and weight was not significant when analyzed. Stunted children may tend to passively over-consume energy compared to control children under certain environmental conditions. This behavior is consistent with reports suggesting that children deprived of either quality food early in life of the ability to exercise free choices of food are less likely to control appetite compared to other children.