The leader., 1898-03-16
FOOD HABITS OF CITY POOR.
Results of Dietary Studies in Con
gested Districts Of New York.


gested Districts of New York.
The result of Investigations into the
food habits of number of families in
the congested districts of New York
in 1895 and 1896 have been made pub
lie BY the agricultural department in
report entitled: Dietary Studies in
New York CITY," The report was pre-
pared by Profs. w. s. Atwater and c.
ID. Woods, under whose immediate di-
rection the Investigations were con-
Quoted with the cooperation of the New
York Association for the improvement
of the Condition, Of the Poor. The
general plan of the inquiry consisted
in visiting number of typical fam
lilies in the worst congested portions OF
the city, observing the kinds and
amounts of food which they bought
and prices which they paid. noting
whether they obtained good weight
and measure, and subjecting specimens
of the food materials to analysis for
the purpose of learning their nutritive
values. - b.
The work in New York was done
mostly by DIR. Isabelle Delaney. The
investigation consisted mainly of the
studies of dietaries of families of the
poorer classes. In some instances
they were slovenly and shiftless, and
took little interest in the appearance
of their homes and tables. Other fam
lilies, though ignorant, were willing
and anxious to learn how they might
improve their habits of living. The
main results of each study are given,
with brief discussion of the chief
features. Following this are some val
liable suggestions regarding the inn
proyement of the food habits of, city
poor. 1t is impossible, the report says
to lay down any hard and fast rules
which shall govern the purchase OF
food by a family, as these must, to a
great extent, be determined by the diff
ferent local conditions. '.
In many of the families there was nc
attempt made to spread an attractive
table. One of the most common OBJ
seryations among those who are ia
| miliar with the habits of the poorer
classes ofwageworkers, the report con
tinues, is to the effect that not in,
considerable amount of the prevalence
of intenperance can be traced to poor
food and unattractive home tables
Throughout all these dietaries there
was shown little comprehension of the
actual nutritive value of the food pur.
chased, the selection apparently being
made according to some whim or taste,
the presence of certain food materials
| in the market, or because the house
keeper had become accustomed to pur.
chasing certain kinds of food. The
larger number of families spent more
| than they really could afford for food
and yet frequently received insufficient
nourishment. The question:: How
these people could have obtained more
nutriment for the money expenditure,
is answered only in the most general
terms. 1t is suggested that one of the
best and surest ways to improve the
condition of the poor is to give. them
practical Instructions and object les
sons in the preparation in attractive yet
simple and cheap foods.
The subjects upon which the women
| should be instructed includes lessons
| upon the best and most nutritious food
materials and those best adapted in
point of cost and ease of preparation
to the cost and circumstances of the
family, and instruction such as shall
enable the housekeeper to prepare SIM
pie, wholesome. and palatablc dishes
from such food.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
| crat.