Original scientific paper
Evaluation of the nutritional status of women workers in a factory
R. Buzina
; Centralni higijenski zavod, Zagreb, i Higijenski zavod, Rijeka
A. Horvat
; Centralni higijenski zavod, Zagreb, i Higijenski zavod, Rijeka
B. Jurković
; Centralni higijenski zavod, Zagreb, i Higijenski zavod, Rijeka
Abstract
The nutritional status has been examined of the women workers in a factory where frequent cases of illness occurred and several women in poor conditions were found. A dietary anamnesis of a part of these women showed insufficient nutrition: they mostly fed on bread, potatoes and farinaceous food, whereas their consumption of meat, vegetables and milk was poor. Moreover, their nutrition was irregular since they often used to come to work without having their breakfast. The nutritional status of these women was determined by a comparison with a reference group (women workers of the same factory) fed somewhat better and regularly. The body weight, the development of the subcutaneous tissue (the thickness of skinfolds), hemoglobin, the red blood cell count, vitamin C in blood, and morbidity rate were taken as criterion. A clinical examination was performed as well. The results obtained showed that the body weight and the thickness of skinfolds, as well as other f actors such as age, body height and the development of skeleton, were helpful in the evaluation of the nutritional status. Anthropometrical measurements showed that the difference in the body weight between the two groups, the reference group being heavier, was not only a consequence of the difference in the development of the muscular and fatty tissue, but also of the better· development of the bone system of workers belonging to the reference group. There were no significant differences between the average values of hemoglobin and red blood cell count of the two groups. These values, as well as the vitamin C values were below the lower limit of the normal range in both groups. The incidence of illness and the absenteeism due to illness were higher in the group of poorly fed women. A critical review of the present-day methods for the examination of the nutritional status is presented. The authors are of the opinion that in the case of mild nutritional disorders a single examination cannot give an exact insight into the nutritional status; repeated observations, therefore, are recommendable.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
184475
URI
Publication date:
14.12.1956.
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