A Study of the Basal Metabolism and Diet of Normal Young College Women in Florida

Abstract

Basal metabolic rates were determined on a group of thirty normal young women who have lived in Florida 8 years or longer. The average deviations calculated from prediction standards were: Aub-DuBois, modified by Boothby and Sandiford, -14.1 per cent; Harris-Benedict, -13.0 per cent. Basal metabolic rates were determined on a group of 8 young women who had recently come from northern states. The average deviations were -7.7 per cent from the modified Aub-DuBois standard, -7.8 per cent from the Harris-Benedict (extrapolated). A comparison of the average basal metabolism of young women living in Florida with those from northern states shows a decidedly lower rate for Florida women. A 4-day dietary study on eighteen young women of the group living in Florida showed an average intake of 1.23 gm. protein and 39.9 calories per kilogram of body weight per day. The protein was of good quality. No consistent relationship was noted between basal metabolism and protein or calorie intake.