Nutritional status was assessed in 151 middle-class healthy adult individuals (69 medical students, 18-29 y, 34 males, 35 females); 48 university personnel, 30-49 y, 24 males, 24 females; and their older relatives, 34 subjects, 50-79 y, 19 males, 15 females) living in Botucatu, S. Paulo. Methods included anthropometric measurements, energy and protein intakes, blood biochemical analyses and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity tests. Anthropometric measurements showed higher values in men, with the exception of the triceps skifold thickness (higher in women) and of the arm fat area (higher in the older age female groups); aging seemed to be associated with increases of weight, arm muscle variables and with arm fat accumulation in women and with increases of arm muscle variables in men. The values for anthropometric measurements were in general higher than those found in other Brazilian studies; on the other hand, they approximate to but do not entirely agree with the data representative of the international referential adult population: differences were mainly concerned with body weight and upper arm muscle parameters, which were lower in our sample. As regards energy intake, values found in subjects under 50 years of age were lower than the recommended dietary allowances; averages found for protein intake were above the level recommended by WHO/FAO/UNU (1985). The mean values for serum proteins and lipids were similar to those of referential data. As regards the hypersensitivity tests, it was found that none of the individuals challenged with four antigens (PPD, Candidin, Vaccinia and phytohemagglutinin) presented less than two positive skin reactions. Besides, all the subjects challenged with phytohemagglutinin had positive reaction to this direct lymphocyte stimulator.
Nutritional status; Anthropometry; Nutrition surveys
