Effects on the General Health and Nutritional Status of Children of Partial Replacement of Rice in a Poor Vegetarian Diet by Tapioca Flour

Abstract

Since previous experiments (Absts. 3293, 3520, Vol. 24) had indicated that 25 per cent. of the rice in a poor rice diet could be replaced by tapioca without ill effects on rats or adult men, a 6-month feeding experiment was made in an orphanage with 2 groups of about 30 healthy girls aged from 5 to 12 years. One group had the orphanage diet, of the usual South Indian type, mainly rice with small quantities of pulses and vegetables, and the other had 25 per cent. of the rice replaced by tapioca flour. A one-week dietary survey and calculation of the nutrient intakes showed that the rice-tapioca diet supplied slightly less protein and slightly more Fe than the rice diet; supplies of other nutrients were about the same, but nearly all were far below the Indian recommended allowances. No difference was found between the groups in increments of height, weight or hip width, nutritional status as judged by the recommendations of the Indian Council of Medical Research Nutrition Advisory Committee (1948), red cell count, or serum protein. Hb fell in both groups; the decrease was significantly less in the rice-tapioca group. It was concluded that the children's health had not suffered from the substitution of tapioca for 25 per cent. of the rice in their diet. W. M. Deans.