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THE NUTRITIONAL LEDGER
Pauline Beery Mack,' Director of Nutrition, War Services,
Pennsylvania State Council of Defense
The question of whether or not the nutritional status of
civilians in general is such that home production of vegetables is not
needed in 1944 is pertinent. Pennsylvania is fortunate in having
information about her civilians which helps to answer these questions.
The findings from the Pennsylvania studies are being calculated
and analyzed as rapidly as possible, in order to help us in these times
to better ourselves nutritionally. From the records of about 3500
people, tested before 1942, these conclusions can be drawn:
(1) Only those in the lowest income groups, on
the average, fail to get enough, or nearly enough energy foods in
the diet.
(2) Few people obtain sufficient protein.
(3) Calcium goes down sharply in the diet with income; but
many people, chiefly growing children and expectant mothers, even in
the higher incomes, are far too low in this important nutrient.
(4) Phosphorus decreases in the diet with income, but not so sharply
as does calcium.
(5) Iron is likely to be low in the diet, on the average, at all
income levels.
(6) Vitamin A is low in the dietary for many people at all income
levels; and the quantity declines sharply with income.
(7) The various components of the vitamin B complex, notably vitamin
B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2
(riboflavin), and niacin are generally low in the American dietary.
This is partly the result of our gradual change to white refined
flour products (the germ of the wheat and hence much of the nutrient
value of the grain except energy has been lost in overmilling to
produce whiteness), and partly our failure to eat as many fruits and
vegetables and as much lean meat and liver as we need.
(8) Vitamin C in the diet is lower than it should be in many cases,
and goes down with income.
Too few of the people are in an optimum class with respect to
skeletal maturity and mineralization. Here, too, there is a dearth in
many cases of calcium, phosphorus, and proteins, principally, as well as
other nutrients needed for skeletal growth and development. |
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click for larger photo
Victory Gardens
Handbook of the
Victory Garden Committee
War Services, Pennsylvania
State Council of Defense
April, 1944
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page v
page vi
page vii
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