American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 2, 38-42, Copyright © 1954 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

HEMOGLOBIN Level and DIETARY INTAKE of Adults

¹ From the Nutrition Department, School of Home Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

A survey of 535 "healthy" adults in Georgia was made. The average hemoglobin level for the 139 men and 396 women was 16.13 ± 0.09 Gm. and 13.99 ± 0.05 Gm. per 100 ml. of blood, respectively. These values are well within the normal accepted standard for adults.

No close relationship was found between the overweight and underweight distribution and hemoglobin levels. Therefore, it would appear that underweight is not necessarily associated with low hemoglobin values.

The calorie intake of this sample was not significantly different from the Recommended Allowance of the National Research Council. The protein intake was above the recommended allowance for both men and women and about two thirds of the total protein was of animal origin. The fat intake was high; over 40 per cent of the calories were derived from fat. This may indicate a very important factor in obesity. Curiously, 23.8 per cent of the men and only 9.1 per cent of the women were overweight. The mineral and vitamin intakes were well within the recommended allowance, with the possible exception of calcium in the case of the women.

The dangers associated with obesity and the provision for high nutritive diets of low caloric value are the factors to be stressed in nutrition education programs.