Jean Mayer

2-Deoxy-D-glucose induced feeding: relation to diet palatability.

Abstract Adult male rats fed either ground Purina Laboratory Chow or the same diet adulterated with 0.5% quinine hydrochloride were tested for feeding in response to the administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Three doses of 2-DG were used, 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg of body weight. During a six-hr test period, rats given ground Purina Laboratory Chow ate significantly more following intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 250 and 500 mg/kg of 2-DG than following IP injections of physiological saline. Food intake of animals given Purina Chow also increased after administration of 750 mg/kg of 2-DG, but intake was not significantly different from that following saline injections. In contrast to rats maintained on the unadulterated diet, rats given quinine-adulterated chow did not increase intake over saline values during the six-hr test period following administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of 2-DG, and actually decreased intake after injection of 750 mg/kg of 2-DG. Results are discussed with respect to the role of diet palatability in determining food intake in hungry animals.

Juvenile-onset obesity and deficits in caloric regulation in MSG-treated rats.

Caloric regulation and the development of obesity were examined in rats which had received parenteral injections of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as neonates. Rats were injected with either 2 mg/g or 4 mg/g MSG on alternate days for the first 20 days of life. Lee Indices of obesity were calculated at 22, 70, and 130 days of age. Animals in the 4 mg/g group were significantly more obese than controls at all three ages. However, both food intake and body weight of this group were significantly lower than those of controls. In adulthood, the ability to regulate caloric intake was tested by allowing animals access to diets of varying caloric densities. While control animals maintained relatively constant caloric intakes across dietary conditions, MSG-treated animals demonstrated an inability to respond to caloric challenges. Treated animals decreased caloric intake on a diluted diet and consumed more calories than controls when presented with a calorically dense diet. This inability to regulate caloric intake is compared with regulatory deficits observed in animals sustaining lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus. The value of an animal model of juvenile-onset obesity is also discussed.

Obesity: Possible Psychological and Metabolic Determinants

Obesity is one of the major health problems in today’s society, with estimates that from 20 to 60 million Americans are substantially above their ideal body weight (Bray, 1976). Although a layperson’s conception of obesity is primarily based on visual assessment of body weight, obesity is more properly defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. While several factors, such as age and physical activity, can affect adipose tissue mass. Bray (1976) has suggested that a fat content in excess of 20% in males and 28% in females could be used as a working guideline for defining obesity.

Energy requirements and breakfast cereals

Abstract Although breakfast cereals which require cooking in the home generally have low energy inputs in processing and packing relative to those which do not, home cooking can take away this energy advantage. To conserve energy it is most important to avoid cereals with a high sugar content and those in single serving sized packet.

Sugar: an expensive source of calories

Abstract Sugar is often thought of as an inexpensive source of calories. This is not true, however, when the energy to refine the sugar is added to the agricultural energy. In fact, substitution of less than half of our sugar calories by those from a grain product such as wheat flour would result in a noticeable energy saving in the US food system.

Energy use in convenience foods: Tracing inputs from primary through final product☆

Abstract Ready-to-heat or ready-to-eat foods do not necessarily take more energy than similar foods prepared at home. Less waste and more efficient ovens can give the processor an energy advantage. Tracing these foods from fishing or agriculture through home use shows that a major energy saving could be made by substituting vegetable proteins for animal or fish proteins. Reduced use of conventional home ovens and freezers would also make a contribution to energy conservation. Metal packages, grocery shopping and energy to make processing machinery add significantly to the total energy input only in certain circumstances.

Energy use and fruits and vegetables

Abstract The consumer has many options to save energy through small dietary changes. With no change in the variety of fruits and vegetables eaten, the consumer can save considerable amounts of energy by bringing them to the table without use of a home freezer, frequent long distance shopping trips and oven cooking. Other conservation measures include buying in large containers, eating uncooked food, using fresh produce rather than canned or frozen, except in the case of frozen juice concentrates, and having a home fruit and vegetable garden.

The Politics of Nutrition: An Agenda for Action

I was very pleased, in reading the main objective and the interesting and comprehensive program for this Congress, to see the emphasis on multisectorial knowledge in finding solutions to our food and nutrition problems. I am convinced that only through the multidisciplinary approach, linking the science of nutrition with the other health and the socioeconomic sciences, can we hope to deal with the great complexities of the food and nutrition situation. H.L. Mencken once said, “For every complex problem there is one simple and obvious solution. And it’s wrong.” Paradoxically, I think that should give us hope.

Recommendations on Famine — Dealing with Nutrition and Relief Operations in Times of Disaster

Bacteriological warfare has been renounced through international conventions as a legitimate instrument of war. One strong argument leading to this action is that bacteriological warfare is indiscriminate and may kill or harm civilian bystanders as much as armed enemies. Starvation should similarly be outlawed as a means of waging war on the ground that it is worse than indiscriminate. It preferentially affects children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and the elderly.

Research report: Energy requirements of mechanized aquaculture

Abstract The authors present the results of a comparative study on the energy inputs required for traditional fishing and various techniques of aquaculture in the USA. The importance of suitable environmental conditions for reducing energy costs is stressed.