The results suggest positive and a much higher contribution of energy to weight, health, and arm circumference compared to protein. A unit change in energy intake was associated with 0.71 per cent change in weight, 0.31 per cent in height, and 0.27 per cent in arm circumference compared to an insignificant contribution of protein to growth. Such a low effect of protein might be because dietary protein is converted to energy, indicating that with the energy-deficient diets in Bangladesh it is energy and not protein that determines growth. However, the same exercise with other age groups in the population, i.e., those above 19 years, showed no regular trend. Height, weight, skinfold thickness, and arm circumference became more or less stable as adolescents moved to adulthood.
Energy is a prime requisite for body function and growth.
When the diet is deficient in energy, the body must meet its energy need for obligatory functions by slowing down its growth process. The above study demonstrates that, under the dietary circumstances in Bangladesh, it is the level of energy intake that limits growth. Figures in parentheses indicate standard error. Significant at 5 per cent level. The authors are grateful to the Ford Foundation for its financial assistance in performing this study.