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The change of foot length and width with age has been reported in a few anthropometric studies in the literature. However, the relationship with body height rarely is reported, and the dynamic effect of weightbearing on foot size has not been documented. In this series, 2829 children 3 to 18 years of age of equal gender distribution were included in the study. The foot length and width on weightbearing and nonweightbearing were measured with a special precision electronic caliper. The foot length and width were found to increase linearly from the age of 3 years until 12 years in girls and 15 years in boys. This was followed by a phase during which the increase plateaued. The foot length and width increased significantly on weightbearing at all ages in both genders with a mean of 2.1 to 4.4 mm or 3.1% to 4.8%, respectively. The foot length and width also were found to correlate significantly with the body height in both genders, with a correlation coefficient of 0.96 to 0.98. No significant differences were found between the sizes of the dominant and nondominant foot in either gender.

Objective: To study dietary lipid intake and plasma lipid profile of the Hong Kong Chinese population as part of a territory wide survey on cardiovascular risk factors., Design: Randomised age and sex stratified survey., Subjects: 1010 subjects aged 25-74 y (500 men, 510 women)., Measurements: A food frequency method with food tables compiled for Hong Kong was used for nutrient quantitation, while a separate questionnaire was used to examine dietary practices. Plasma lipid profile was estimated using standard laboratory methods., Results: Total calorie, fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA and MUFA), and cholesterol intake were higher in men; however when adjusted for caloric intake no difference was observed. Men had lower intake of PUFA as percentage of total energy had a higher Hegsted Score compared with women. Subjects consuming beans twice or more per week had lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Overall, the population dietary intake was close to the ideal for cardiovascular health: percentage fat not greater than 30% of the total calorie intake, saturated fat intake not greater than 10% of calories, and cholesterol less than 180 mg/1000 Kcal., Conclusion: The dietary pattern for Hong Kong Chinese appear to be satisfactory with respect to cardiovascular health.

Some solid-state pharmaceutical properties and the solid-state thermal stability of the model dipeptides aspartame (APM) and aspartylphenylalanine (AP), have been investigated. Studies by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), high-performance liquid chromatography, powder X-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy have shown that the dipeptides undergo solid state intramolecular aminolysis of the type, solid --> solid + gas. This reaction was observed for APM at 167-180 degrees C with the liberation of methanol and for AP at 186-202 degrees C with the liberation of water. The exclusive solid product of the degradation reaction of both dipeptides is the cyclic compound 3-(carboxymethyl)-6-benzyl-2,5-dioxopiperazine. The rates of the degradation reactions were monitored by isothermal TGA and by temperature-ramp DSC and were found to follow kinetics based on nucleation control with activation energies of about 266 kJ mol(-1) for APM and 234 kJ mol(-1) for AP.

Recent calcium supplementation trials in children have confirmed a positive but moderate effect of calcium intake on bone mineral accretion. However, the lasting effect of a higher bone mineral mass after calcium-supplement withdrawal is not known. This is an 18-mo follow-up study conducted after an 18-mo controlled calcium supplementation trial to study the persistent effect of higher bone mineral mass in children. Radial bone mineral mass was determined by single-photon absorptiometry; lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral mass were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 84 healthy Hong Kong children at age 8.5 y and these evaluations were repeated at age 10 y. Pubertal status was determined by Tanner staging. At the end of the follow-up, the differences in percentage gains in lumbar spine bone mineral content (12.1 +/- 8.2% compared with 14.9 +/- 10.05%, P = 0.24) and lumbar spine area (8.6 +/- 5.1% compared with 9.4 +/- 5.5%, P = 0.47) between the study and control groups disappeared. Dietary calcium intakes during follow-up were similar for the two groups (555 and 640 mg/d, P = 0.23). In multiple-regression analyses, pubertal status was the strongest correlate of bone acquisition and linear growth in the study period. In conclusion, higher percentage gains in bone mineral mass in childhood by calcium supplementation for 18 mo were reversible. Our study showed that the benefits of calcium supplementation disappear after treatment is withdrawn. Longer-term calcium trials are necessary to determine whether peak bone mass can be modified through sustained supplementation so that appropriate calcium intakes can be determined.

A cross-sectional study on growth and development in Hong Kong children and adolescents ranging from their birth to 18 years of age was performed in 1993 and all the growth standards were constructed in the form of percentile chart. Those having a weight at one's median weight for height standard of 120% were defined as obesity. Prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents aged 3-18 was 10.08% (11.28% and 8.93% for boys and girls, respectively), which was higher than that in the inland of the country and that in Hong Kong as previously reported. Result showed there was a gradual increase in the prevalence after the age of 5, which reached a peak at the age of 11 for boys and 8 for girls.

There is limited information relating Ca intake to bone and height acquisition among Oriental children who consume little or even no milk. The present controlled study investigated the acquisition of bone mass and height of Chinese children with an initial Ca intake of approximately 567 mg/d who were supplemented to about 800 mg/d. Eighty-four 7-year-old Hong Kong Chinese children underwent an 18-month randomized, double-blind, controlled Ca-supplementation trial. The children were randomized to receive either 300 mg elemental Ca or a placebo tablet daily. Bone mass of the distal one-third radius was measured by single-photon absorptiometry, lumbar spine and femoral neck were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Measurements were repeated 6-monthly. Baseline serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration and physical activity were also assessed. Baseline Ca intakes of the study group and controls were respectively 571 (SD 326) and 563 (SD 337) mg/d. There were no significant differences in baseline serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration (P = 0.71) and physical activity (P = 0.36) between the study and control groups. After 18 months the study group had significantly greater increases in lumbar-spinal bone mineral content (20.9 v. 16.34%; P = 0.035), lumbar-spinal area (11.16 v. 8.71%; P = 0.049), and a moderately greater increment in areal bone mineral density of the radius (7.74 v. 6.00%; P = 0.081) when compared with the controls. The results confirm a positive effect of Ca on bone mass of the spine and radius but no effects on femoral-neck and height increase. A longer trial is warranted to confirm a positive Ca effect during childhood that may modify future peak bone mass.

A double-blind controlled Ca supplementation trial was conducted for 6 months in thirty-four 7-year-old Chinese children from Hongkong and Jiangmen, China. The children were randomly allocated to the study group (n 17) or control group (n 17), and a CaCO3 tablet (300 mg Ca) or a placebo tablet was taken daily. True fractional Ca absorption (TFCA) was evaluated before and after the trial using stable isotopes: 8 mg 44Ca mixed in 100 g chocolate milk was given after an intravenous injection of 0.75 mg 42Ca. There was no significant difference in baseline TFCA between the study group (60.6 (SD 11.4)%) and the controls (58.2 (SD 9.0)%; P = 0.55). Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were comparable between the two groups (P = 0.71). After 6 months, TFCA of the study group (55.6 (SD 12.7)%) was significantly lower than that of the controls (64.3 (SD 10.7)%; P = 0.015). By comparing the individual changes in TFCA after the trial between the two groups there was a non-significant reduction in TFCA (5.03 (SD 12.4)%; P = 0.11, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) in the study group (60.6-55.6%), whereas a significant increase in TFCA (6.17 (SD 7.7)%; P = 0.004, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) was observed in the controls (58.2-64.3%). The differential in TFCA between the two groups after 6 months was significantly different (P = 0.001), and remained significant after adjustment for baseline dietary intakes, weight and height by multiple-regression analysis (P = 0.003). If the mechanism of TFCA from chocolate milk in response to the treatment effects is similar to that from the total diet, then our results suggest that children with adequate vitamin D status can adapt to a change in Ca intake by adjusting the efficiency of TFCA. In corollary, children on habitually-low Ca diets have a higher TFCA than the counterparts with higher Ca diets.

True fractional Ca absorption (TFCA) was compared in children with different habitual Ca intakes using a double-label stable-isotope technique. Chinese children aged 7 years from Hongkong (n22) and Jiangmen (n12) participated in the study. An oral administration of 8 mg 44Ca in 100 g chocolate milk was given shortly after an intravenous injection of 0.75 mg 42Ca. Ca isotopic ratios were determined in urine samples collected 24 h later using thermal-ionization mass spectrometry. There was no significant difference in TFCA between Jiangmen and Hongkong children (P = 0.16). TFCA of a lower-Ca-intake group (Ca < or = 500 mg/d, n19) with mean Ca intake 359 mg/d was 63.1 (SD 10.7)% and that of a higher-Ca-intake group (Ca > 500 mg/d, n15) with mean Ca intake 862 mg/d was 54.8 (SD 7.3)%; the difference in TFCA was significant (P = 0.016). Serum levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol of the children were adequate (33.7 (SD 7.7) ng/ml). The present study indicates that growing children accustomed to a low-Ca diet appear to be able to enhance their absorptive capacity. If it is assumed that dietary Ca absorption by Chinese children resembles their TFCA from a single meal of chocolate milk, then the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Ca for Chinese children would be lower than the US RDA (800 mg/d), which is based on an estimated 40% Ca absorption as reported for Caucasian children. A comparative absorption study is necessary to determine whether there is any difference in TFCA between Caucasian and Chinese children.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled calcium supplementation trial was conducted for 18 mo to determine its effects on bone acquisition and height increment in 162 7-y-old Chinese children (87 boys and 75 girls) with habitually low calcium intakes (280 mg/d). Distal one-third radial bone mineral content (BMC), area bone density (BMC/bone width), and height were evaluated every 6 mo. Baseline dietary intakes, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, and physical activity were determined. The study group received 300 mg Ca/d as calcium carbonate; control subjects received placebo tablets. After 18 mo the study group had significantly greater gains in BMC (16.5% vs 13.97%; P = 0.02) and BMC/bone width (9.45% vs 6.31%; P = 0.0008) than the control subjects. The findings confirm a positive effect of calcium intake on bone acquisition but no effect on height increment. Whether a higher bone mass attained at age 8-9 y would be maintained and beneficial to future peak bone mass requires longitudinal investigation. Further study is warranted to determine calcium requirements for Chinese children.

Children in Hong Kong (HK) are the second generation of Chinese migrants from Guangdong Province and are leading a more affluent lifestyle than those in Jiangmen (JM). The association between affluence and coronary risk was investigated by comparing the serum cholesterol and dietary fat intake of children in HK and JM. Fasting serum cholesterol was examined in 94 HK children and 99 JM children, all aged seven, using the same enzymatic method by the same observer. Duplicate meals were collected in two subsamples of 20 children, one each from HK and JM and analysed for their total fat intake and fatty acid profile, again by the same observer using gravimetric methodology and gas chromatography. The mean (SD) cholesterol of HK children was 4.59 (0.83) mmol/l, significantly higher than that of JM, 4.16 (0.61) mmol/l. The daily fat intake by the HK children was 48 g, 37% higher than that of JM at 35 g. PS ratio was 0.6in HK and 0.8 in JM. Cl8-2/C14-0, the cholesterol-lowering ratio, was mostly below 10 in HK, whereas that of JM was between 10 and 40 Therefore, in order to lower the total serum cholesterol of Hong Kong children, dietary intervention to lessen total fat, in particular milk and animal fat, while moderately increasing fat consumption from vegetable sources would seem to be appropriate.

Blood cholesterol level in children aged 7 in Hong Kong (4.59mmol/L) was significantly higher than that in Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province (4.16mmol/L). Duplicate meals were collected from 20 children each in Hong Kong and Jiangmen for chemical analysis of fat intake and fatty acid profile. Results showed daily fat intake was 34.7 g for children in Jiangmen, which was about 30% lower than that in Hong Kong (47.6 g). Fatty acid profile in the diet of Jiangmen children showed a significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acid saturated fatty acid ratio (0.81 vs 0.69) and linoleic acid/myristic acid ratio (20.73 vs 10.91) than that of Hong Kong children. It suggested dietary mode in a society with rapid developing economy and well-to-do life has changed, and it is necessary to prevent from the damage to health, especially the risk of coronary heart disease, caused by over-nutrition, as early as possible.

In Hong Kong, blood lipid profiles of adults and children are comparable to the western industrialized nations. The age on-set of ischemic heart disease in Hong Kong is gradually declining to occur in younger adults. Dietary practices of adolescents influence food habits later in life. However, published data on current dietary intakes of Hong Kong adolescents are scanty. This paper reports a dietary survey of current food habits in 179 12-year-old adolescents using a food frequency questionnaire. The mean ± SD intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, calcium, iron, vitamin C and fibre were 2164± 766 kcal,107 ± 44g,71±33 g,274± 91g, 481± 246 mg, 643± 252 mg, 16± 6mg, 78± 41 mg and 3.5± 2g, respectively. The percentages of energy derived from protein, fat, carbohydrate, polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats and saturated fats were 19.7%, 28.8%, 51.5%, 4.4%, 11.5% and 10.4%, respectively, whereas the P/S ratio was 0.43. Protein intake was 2.5 times higher than the FAO/WHO/UNU RDAs, animal protein was the predominant source of protein; meat was the principal source of fat intake (45%), over 61 % of the individuals had saturated fat intake greater than 10% (% energy); mean cholesterol intake was 481 mg/d and 79% of the individuals had cholesterol intake above 300 mg/d. Low fibre intake was related to low intake of unrefined grains, vegetables and fruits. A high intake of animal products, cholesterol, a low P/S ratio and low consumption of unrefined grains, vegetables and fruits might be detrimental to a healthy heart. The increasing frequency of eating out at restaurants and fast-food outlets and relatively fewer meals being prepared and eaten at home is a growing concern for maintaining a healthy diet. Immediate action has to be taken to evaluate the current dietary practices of the population to establish appropriate healthy eating policy and guidelines in order to prevent the future risks of developing diet-related chronic diseases.

Bone mineral content (BMC) of 5-year-old Chinese children (115 children in Jiangmen, China and 128 children in Hong Kong) was evaluated by single-photon absorptiometry at the distal 1/3 radius. The mean (S.D.) calcium intakes of children of Jiangmen and Hong Kong were 244 (46) and 542 (332) mg/day, respectively. The mean BMC, weight and height of Jiangmen children were significantly less than Hong Kong children by 14%, 10% and 4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that 62% of the variance in BMC was explained by bone width (BW), weight and regional location (P < 0.0001). A regional difference in BMC of 0.0303 g/cm (P < 0.0001) still remained after adjusting for BW and weight by multiple regression analysis. When comparing sub-groups of children in the two regions with comparable low current calcium intake at 5 years, the BMC of Jiangmen children was still significantly lower than Hong Kong children even when potential confounders were adjusted (P < 0.003). The study suggests that the regional discrepancy in BMC might be explained by long-term habitual calcium intake and physical activity.

This study evaluated Ca intake in Hong Kong Chinese children and examined the association between long-term Ca intake and bone mineral content (BMC) in children. Longitudinal dietary intake from birth to 5 years was obtained in 128 children (sixty-seven boys, sixty-one girls). Ca intakes were evaluated by dietary history and cross-checked with food frequency and 24 h recall. At age 5 years BMC was determined at the one-third distal radius of the right arm using single-photon absorptiometry. The mean Ca intake of 133 children at 5 years was 546 (SD 325) mg/d. Milk was the chief source of Ca (43.5%). From birth to 5 years, 90% of the children had been taking milk regularly. The mean BMC and bone width (BW) of these children were 0.317 (SD 0.042) g/cm and 0.756 (SD 0.074) cm respectively. BMC was not correlated with current intakes of Ca, energy and protein but was positively correlated with weight (r 0.57), height (r 0.47) and BW (r 0.66). However, cumulative Ca intake throughout the past 5 years showed significant correlation with BMC (r 0.235, P = 0.0133). The significant correlation remained even after weight, height, BW, sex, and cumulative intakes of energy and protein were adjusted in multiple regression analysis (r 0.248, P = 0.0107). Moreover, using principal component analysis, Ca intake during the 2nd year of life had the strongest correlation with BMC at 5 years (r 0.240, P = 0.02). Ca intake of Hong Kong Chinese children was higher than the RDA of the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (1962) and achieved 66% of the current US recommendation (National Research Council, 1989). The increased regular milk consumption reflects a significant change in dietary habits of the younger generation. Children with a habitually higher Ca intake throughout the past 5 years, particularly in the 2nd year, were found to have higher BMC.

The heterophagic pathway of the digestive-lysosomal system in axenically grown Paramecium caudatum is divisible into vacuole formation, vacuole acidification-condensation, lysosomal fusion-digestion and defecation. These four processes can be separated in time, thus permitting the study of the effects of temperature on each process. The optimal growth temperature for this cell was 27 degrees C. The rate of digestive vacuole (DV) formation at varying temperatures was represented by a skewed bell-shaped curve having an optimum between 28 and 30 degrees C. The time course for the acidification-condensation step was lengthened below 26 degrees C, but was not accelerated above this temperature. The rate but not the extent of vacuole condensation was decreased at 19 and 22 degrees C. Temperature increase above 22 degrees C shortened, slightly, the duration of the lysosomal fusion-digestion process, whereas below 22 degrees C small temperature decreases greatly extended this period. Within a given experiment the rates of defecation were proportional to temperatures above 17 degrees C. However, these rates varied widely among different experiments. Interestingly, the activation energies for both the formation and defecation processes averaged 19 kcal/mol. Furthermore, Paramecium appeared to readily adapt to environmental temperature changes, since the length of the processing periods and the rates of defecation were similar in cells with or without a 24 h acclimation. These results indicated that the four processes in the digestive cycle in P. caudatum are distinct but each is energy-dependent.

The heterophagic pathway of the digestive lysosomal system in Paramecium caudatum includes at least four steps: digestive vacuole (DV) formation, acidification-condensation, lysosomal fusion-digestion, and defecation. The second and the third require about 20 min, during which DVs are not egested. Because these steps occur at predictable intervals, the mechanism for each can be explored by exposing labeled DVs to different drugs prior to each step. In this study the effects of cytochalasin B (CB), colchicine and the calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP), were studied. All three drugs inhibited DV formation in a dose-dependent manner when cells were pulsed with latex beads and a drug simultaneously. TFP was cytotoxic above 5 microM. Vacuole formation was completely shut down when cells were pre-exposed to 5 microM TFP for 13 min. At this level, the duration of the acidification step was lengthened, and the rate of defecation decreased with increasing exposure. These results suggest that these inhibitory effects may be more related to TFP's cytotoxicity than to its action on calmodulin-mediated process. Colchicine at 1 mM had no effect on the third or fourth step, but inhibited the acidification step so that DVs were egested later and at a slower rate. Exerting a differential effect on all four steps, CB inhibited DV release from the cytopharynx, egestion of defecation-competent DVs at the cytoproct and lengthened the duration but did not block the lysosomal fusion-digestion step of the acidic DVs; it was most potent in blocking acidification, which prevented both lysosomal fusion with the labeled DVs as well as DV egestion, the latter for more than 50 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Physical growth in weight, length and head circumference during infancy and early childhood (the first two years) of Hong Kong children born in the 1960's and 1970's have been compared with a widely used international reference standard (National Center for Health Statistics). During the first 3-6 months the mean growth curves closely follow the reference mean. Over the following 6-12 months however, there is a distinct downward deviation. From about 18 months onwards the growth trajectories once again closely parallel the reference. This 'faltering' of physical growth, which shows some similarities with that described by young children in poor parts of the world has been attributed by some to less than adequate nutrition during the weaning period. Yet over the past 20 years or so Hong Kong has very much become part of the developed world. This apparent paradox leads us to speculate that genetic influences might play an important role in the faltering of growth.

The volume of infant formula required for babies below the age of 6 months continues to pose problems both for parents and child health care workers. To investigate this, about 150 bottle-fed babies were studied every 2 months from birth for their milk intake and weight gain. They were fed on demand with full strength infant formula and weaning was started at about 4 months. Weight gain was normal, with growth patterns comparable to Cambridge babies. The mean (s.d.) daily milk volumes in millilitres consumed were: 582 (144), 847 (163), 851 (176), 812 (219) at 7 days, 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. With such a wide range of milk intake at each age, it would be inappropriate and misleading to provide a single mean recommended volume. Thus, percentile values are suggested as a better guideline for recommended intake. Estimation was made for the volume of milk required if milk was the sole source of energy for the first 6 months.

Chinese mothers living in Hong Kong are used to giving their babies special medicinal food to strengthen the infant's internal defences and to restore the body's harmonious state. However since the majority of registered doctors are trained in the Western pharmacological tradition it is difficult for them to comprehend the concepts and idioms of this practice. This paper set out to investigate the frequency and varieties of medicinal foods given to 166 Chinese infants during the first 30 months after birth. One hundred and forty seven babies were given medicinal foods at some stage. The frequency of their administration varied from weekly to once or twice per month. The most popular medicinal food was "Job's tears" and the most widely administered compound herb preparations were milk preparation solution, flower teas and various cool teas. The potential pharmacological effects of these medicinal foods were searched from a Chinese medicines computerized database and found to be principally anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, diuretic and appetite stimulant. This study contributed a better appreciation of the popularity of infant supplementary medicinal foods in Hong Kong and the rationale for their use.