THE PROTEIN INTAKE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

A study of 817 24-hr. urine specimens from 192 [male] students over a period of 6 yrs. shows: An av. N excretion of 10.34 gms. which corresponds with a protein consumption of 71.3 gm. per 70 kgm. of body weight after adding 10% for protein lost in the feces. The protein consumption of students living at a mean temp. of 5.0-6.9[degree] C. was approximately the same as of students living at 13.05-26.77 and [long dash]4.4 to 1.0[degree] C. Hence protein habits within this range of climate and in this occupation are little affected by change of temp. The protein consumption of this class of individuals is far below the accepted dietary standards as was shown by Denis and Borgstrom and by Beard. The results further support the view of Chittenden that 60 gm. of protein per 70 kgm. body wt. was an ample allowance.