Protein-energy requirements of boys 12-14 y old determined by using the nitrogen-balance response to a mixed-protein diet.

Short-term nitrogen-balance response to graded intakes of a vegetable mixed-protein diet and to a milk-egg protein diet was tested in eight healthy male children aged 12-14 y. They received 72, 104, 136, and 168 mg N.kg body wt-1.d-1 for 10 d while on the mixed diet, and 160 mg N.kg-1.d-1 on the milk-egg diet. The mean regression equation was nitrogen balance = 0.64 (nitrogen intake)-74, all values are in mg N.kg-1.d-1. Apparent digestibility was 86% and 85% for the mixed and milk-egg diets when the subjects received 168 and 160 mg N.kg-1.d-1, respectively. Mean nitrogen intake for satisfactory nitrogen retention for growth on the mixed diet was 147 mg N.kg-1.d-1; the recommended protein allowance to cover 97.5% of the population, which was derived by using a CV of 12.5%, is 1.15 g protein.kg-1.d-1. We conclude that FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations are adequate, at least for short-term nitrogen retention; long-term studies are needed to evaluate the chronic safety of this protein allowance.

Protein-energy requirements of prepubertal school-age boys determined by using the nitrogen-balance response to a mixed-protein diet.

Short-term nitrogen-balance response to a vegetable-protein mixed diet and to a milk-egg protein diet was tested in eight healthy male children 8-10 y old. They received 96, 128, 160, and 192 mg N.kg body wt-1.d-1 for 10 d while on the mixed diet and 160 mg N.kg-1.d-1 on the milk-egg diet. The mean regression equation was nitrogen balance = 0.52 (nitrogen intake) -68.3, all in mg N.kg-1.d-1. Apparent nitrogen digestibility was 82% and 86% for the mixed and milk-egg diets, respectively, when the subjects received 160 mg N.kg-1.d-1. Mean nitrogen intake for satisfactory nitrogen retention on the mixed diet was 150 mg N.kg-1.d-1; the suggested protein recommended allowance to cover 97.5% of the population was derived by using a CV of 12.5% is 1.2 g protein.kg-1.d-1. We conclude that present recommendations are adequate for short-term nitrogen retention; long-term studies are needed to evaluate the chronic safety of this protein allowance.