Studies on protein nutrition of Papua New Guinea highlanders: nitrogen balance and hematological studies

Studies were made in August 1978 on the N-balance and hematological characteristics of 18 men living in the village of Kalugaluvi (altitude: 1, 500m) near Lufa, which is 60km from Goroka, in the Eastern Highland Province of Papua New Guinea. The average daily protein intake on 3 consecutive days was 95.2 + 29.3 mgN/kg (35.2±10.7g protein/day), and 32.6±18.7% of the total protein intake was in the form of animal proteins. The calculated nutritional value of the dietary protein, scored according to the 1973 FAO/WHO pattern, was 83.7±10.6. Urinary and fecal N excretions during the same period were 81.9± 18.7 and 26.3±11.8mgN/kg, respectively, giving a nitrogen balance of -13.5±24.9 mgN/kg. From N-balance data on individuals, the N-intake for maintenance of a zero N-balance was estimated as 116.3±48.6 mgN/ kg (mean 95% confidence interval). Hematological data showed normal or rather high values for hemoglobin (16.90±1.05 g/100 ml) and serum proteins (8.05±0.40g/100 ml). The in-creased level of serum proteins was associated with an increased globulin level.