The effects of supplements varying in carotene and calcium content on the physical, biochemical and skeletal status of preschool children

Abstract

1. Studies were made of the effects of food supplements varying in carotene and calcium content on the nutritional status of children aged 2–6 years. Three groups of children who were given a dietary supplement for 6 months and a fourth group of controls were investigated. The supplement was the fermented food dhokla, made of wheat and Bengal gram (Cicer arietinumL.) (group 1) or dhokla with added greens (group 2) or dhokla with added greens (fenugreek) and lime powder (a mixture of CaO, Ca(OH)₂and CaCO₃) (group 3).2. Studies were made of the effects of the above supplements on height, weight, skeletal status as judged by increments in bone age and cortical thickness of the second metacarpal bone and femur, and biochemical status as judged by the composition of blood (haemoglobin), serum (protein, albumin and vitamin A) and urine (creatinine, nitrogen, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C).3. All the groups given the supplement were found to be superior to the controls as judged by these criteria. The size of the increment generally increased from group 1 to group 3 and the differences were most marked for bone age and cortical thickness.4. The results suggested that (a) calcium deficiency is a crucial factor in the aetiology of skeletal retardation in young children and (b) that at the levels of calcium (560 mg) and phosphorus (980 mg) consumed, and with liberal exposure to sunlight, a dietary supply of vitamin D may not be a crucial factor for skeletal development in young children.