[Longevity of malnourished rats fed with the regional basic diet (RBD) of the northeast of Brazil]

The effects of a Regional Basic Diet (RBD) on life expectancy and growth were studied in 23 Sprague-Dawley rats from mothers fed RBD since fecundation. These animals were compared with 20 rats from mothers fed the balanced control diet (22% protein). At weaning, the animals were fed their mothers diet and the weight was recorded every week until death. Sex related differences were not detected among RBD-fed animals; the growth curve was similar for both sexes. The critical points of acceleration and deceleration of the growth rate were not defined for these rats. Survival for RBD-groups decreased until 75 d of age and was unchanged between 75 and 450 d of life. From the 459 th d to the 589 th d of life deaths occurred successively. Controls survived until the 860 th d of life. Data point out the need for improving the basic food pattern of the region to prevent, among other things, a low life expectancy for the northeastern population.