The protein participation in daily diet and nutritional status of medical students in Kraków.

PURPOSE The assessment of protein participation in daily diet together with anthropometric estimation of nutritional status. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were examined 150 students of Medical Faculty of Jagiellonian University. BMI and MAMC (Mid Arm Muscle Circumference) were examined in order to estimate the nutritional status. Quality of daily diet was estimated by the analysis of daily nutritional ratio (DNR). RESULTS Underweight was more often observed among women (14.3% vs 5.8%), and overweight and obesity among men (13.4% vs 5.1%). Too low MAMC value was more often observed in the group of men (25% vs 2.4%). Correct MAMC value was represented by most women (86%) and with one exception they were also correct among female with underweight. Not acceptable diet showed 62.5% of male students and 46.8% of female students representing all BMI ranges. The low protein consumption frequency in every day diet showed 25% students with MAMC <5 percentile. CONCLUSIONS The confirmed disturbances in nutrition among examined students did not find statistically important reflection in protein nutritional status represented by MAMC value. It may confirm short time of duration of nutritional disturbances (potential shortages--no physical symptoms) and may be connected with the lack of quantity estimation of nutrition.