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Nutritional status of Head Start and nursery school children. II. Biochemical measurements
Insights
Nursery school children maintained superior iron status indicators compared to Head Start children throughout the preschool year. However, Head Start participants showed improvements in iron status and adequate protein levels by spring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Early childhood education programs like Head Start and nursery schools serve diverse populations.
- Nutritional status, particularly iron levels, is critical for cognitive and physical development in young children.
- Variations in nutritional intake and health outcomes can exist between different preschool programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the hematological and protein status of children in Head Start versus nursery school programs.
- To assess changes in nutritional markers from fall to spring within these preschool settings.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of preschool programs in improving iron status, especially for at-risk children.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of blood parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration.
- Measurement of alpha 1 globulin and total iron binding capacity.
- Biochemical analysis of urine for urea, creatinine, and inorganic sulfate sulfur to confirm protein status.
Main Results:
- Nursery school children consistently exhibited higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume.
- Head Start children showed higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and alpha 1 globulin levels initially.
- By spring, Head Start children demonstrated improved iron status, with normal protein markers in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Preschool programs can influence and potentially improve the nutritional and hematological profiles of young children.
- Head Start programs appear effective in addressing iron deficiencies over the academic year.
- Both programs supported adequate overall protein status, as evidenced by blood and urinary analyses.
Abstract:
At the beginning of a Head Start and nursery school program in the fall, nursery school children had significantly higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and mean corpuscular volume than Head Start children. The latter had a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and alpha 1 globulin level. In the spring, at the close of both preschool programs, nursery school children still had higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and mean corpuscular volume, and also a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin and total iron binding capacity. Head Start children exhibiting signs of anemia in the fall were improving in iron status in the spring. Normal blood protein levels for both groups of children indicated adequate protein status. This condition was confirmed by urinary analysis of urea, creatinine, and inorganic sulfate sulfur.