Low birth weight and early weaning: new risk factors for atherosclerosis
The study by Romaldini et al. on the risk factors for atherosclerosis in children and adolescents regarded as the main cause of death in the world and in Brazil was very appropriate. The authors detected one or more risk factors for atherosclerosis in 41% of 109 children and adolescents with family history of early heart disease. The higher the number of risk factors the higher the probability of disease since the effects are multiplied. Therefore the recent publications of scientific evidence regarding two new risk factors for cardiovascular diseases namely low birth weight and absence of breastfeeding are of utmost importance especially to those who provide child care. (excerpt)
Summary The nutritive value of foods consumed at the noon meal and morning snack by preschool children 3 to 5 years of age was calculated from weight diets. Mean dietary intakes except for calories, iron, and thiamin equaled or exceeded one-third of the RDA. The proportion of the caloric and nutrient intake provided by the various food groups reflected the preferences of the children for certain foods. Vegetables were eaten sparingly. A food information program increased the mean intake of four test vegetables.