The aim of this study was to analyze dietary intake and body composition in a group of elite-level competitive rhythmic gymnasts from Spain. We undertook body composition and nutritional analysis of 30 elite gymnasts, divided into two groups by age: pre-teen (9–12 years) (n = 17) and teen (13–18 years) (n = 13). Measures of height, weight, and bioimpedance were used to calculate body mass index and percent body fat. Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed based on 7-day food records. The two groups had similar percentages of total body fat (pre-teen: 13.99 ± 3.83% vs. teen: 14.33 ± 5.57%; p > 0.05). The energy availability values for pre-teens were above the recommended values (>40 kcal/FFM/day) 69.38 ± 14.47 kcal/FFM/day, while those for the teens were much lower (34.7 ± 7.5 kcal/FFM/day). The distribution of the daily energy intake across the macronutrients indicates that both groups ingested less than the recommended level of carbohydrates and more than the recommended level of fat. Very low intakes of calcium and vitamin D among other micronutrients were also noted. The main finding is that teenage gymnasts do not consume as much energy as they need each day, which explains their weight and development. Moreover, they are at a high risk of developing low energy availability that could negatively impact their performance and future health.

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Absorption and retention of nitrogen from a typical poor Mexican diet BY F. GOMEZ, R. RAMOS-GALVAN, J. CRAVIOTO (Received 28 M a y 1956-Revised 26 February 1957 Variously known by such names as kwashiorkor (Africa), shibi gachaki (Japan), protein malnutrition (WHO), Mehlnahrschaden (Germany), chronic severe malnutrition is one of the most prevalent pathological conditions suffered by children living in underdeveloped countries. Surveys carried out in different parts of the world have shown that the diets of such children are very similar, not only in their nutritional value, but also in the foodstuffs actually eaten. A typical dietary history is as follows: (I) prolonged breast feeding on an inadequate lactation; (2) improper weaning with cereals (especially corn (maize) meal cooked by the action of quicklime), beans and peppers; ( 3 ) lack of milk, meat, fish and eggs after weaning. That is to say the diet after weaning is low in calories, fats and proteins, high in carbohydrates, and contains insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. The intake of most of the children meets no more than 50% of the caloric, and from 20 to 60% of the protein, requirement. Fats, usually vegetable fats, are consumed in amounts one-third below normal (Lozoya-

Summary Nitrogen balances were done on children affected with chronic severe malnutrition while on a diet of corn‐meal and beans with and without lysine and tryptophane supplements. Calculated as per cent of intake both absorption and retention of nitrogen were greater when the supplement was added to the basal diet. Du métabolisme protóique dans la sous‐alimentation chronique grave (Kwashiorkor). 2. Influence des supplements amino‐acides sur l'absorption et la retention d'azotes dans le régime diététique au maïs et aux légumineuses. Chez des enfants souffrant de sous‐alimentation chronique grave, des balances ont étéétablies pendant un régime diététique de farine de maïs et des légumineuses, avec et sans suppléments de lysine et de tryptophane. Calculées en pourcentages de matière ingérée, l'absorption aussi bien que la rétention d'azotes ont été plus grandes lorsque le suppléement était ajoutó au régime fondamental. Eiweißstoffwechsel in schwerer chronischer Unterernährung (Kwashiorkor). 2. Einfluss ergänzender Aminosäuren auf die Absorption und Retention von Stickstoff bei einer Mais‐und Bohnendiät. Stickstoffbilanzuntersuchungen wurden bei Kindern mit schwerer chronischer Unternährung, die an einer Maismehl‐und Bohnendiät mit und ohne Zusatz von Lysin und Tryptophan gehalten waren, durchgeführt. Es zeigte sich, dass sowohl die Absorption als auch die Retention von Stickstoff, ausgedrückt in Prozenten der Einnahme, grösser war, wenn die zugrundeliegende Diät die zusätzlichen Aminosäuren enthielt. Metabolismo proteico en la desnutrición crónica grave (Kwashiorkor) 2. Influencia de los suplementos aminoácidos en la absorción y retención nitrogénicas bajo un régimen dietético de maíz y legurninosas. Estableciéronse balanzas nitrogénicas de niños afectos de desnutrición crónica grave, mientras quedaban sometidos a un régimen dietético de harina de maíz y leguminosas, con y sin suplementos de lisinas y triptófano. Calculadas en porcentajes de materia ingerida, tanto la absorción como la retención del nitrógeno, fueron mayores al ser añadido el suplemento a la dieta fundamental.