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N J Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to N J Murphy.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Diabetes mellitus in Alaskan Yup'ik Eskimos and Athabascan Indians after 25 yr.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and overweight in two populations of Alaska Natives and to compare the results with previous data. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants' heights, weights, and random plasma glucose levels were determined. Those with a glucose of greater than or equal to 6.72 mM received a follow-up glucose-tolerance test, interpreted by WHO criteria. Overweight was defined by National Center for Health Statistics criteria and also by criteria used in previous studies. The subjects were Eskimo and Athabascan residents greater than or equal to 40 yr of age in 15 villages in southwestern Alaska. RESULTS: Diabetes prevalence was 4.7% for Eskimos and 10.0% for Indians. Among Eskimo men and women, the prevalence of overweight was 34 and 56%, respectively, among Indian men and women, it was 29 and 55%, respectively. Comparisons with past data indicate that the prevalence of diabetes has increased from 1.7% in 1962 for Eskimos and 1.8% in 1969 for Indians. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes appears to have increased among Eskimos and Indians in Alaska. Overweight appears to be a significant problem in both groups.

Alaska

Dietary zinc intake of low-income pregnant women of Mexican descent.

Zinc intakes of low-income pregnant women of Mexican descent were estimated by the use of 24-hr dietary recalls. Recalls were obtained during the first two trimesters for 344 women and again during the third trimester of pregnancy for 279 of the same women. The daily mean zinc intake was calculated as 9.4 +/- 3.8 mg during the first two trimesters and as 10.0 +/- 4.3 mg during the third trimester. For about 85% of the women, the reported intakes were below two-thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc. In a subsample of the women, no significant correlation was shown between low dietary zinc intakes and low serum zinc levels during either early or late pregnancy. Zinc and protein intakes were highly correlated in both early and late pregnancy (r = 0.83 and 0.89, respectively). Diets that provided 90 to 100 g of protein (about 125% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance) provided a mean of 13.6 g of zinc (67% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance).

California

Nutrient estimates from computerized questionnaires vs. 24-hr. recall interviews.

A computerized nutritional assessment service used by dentists was investigated. Daily nutrient intake of forty-six adult subjects was estimated from replies to a computerized food frequency questionnaire and the results compared with the average nutrient intakes of the same individuals obtained during five 24-hr. dietary recall interviews. Although the two methods produced essentially the same mean for carbohydrate intake and a minimal difference in the mean caloric values, mean estimates of the other nutrients were 6 to 88 per cent greater with the computerized data than via the dietary recalls. The dietary assessment service included unwarranted recommendations for vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Adult

Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: comparison of a glucose polymer and a glucose monomer test beverage.

BACKGROUND: The current test for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) uses a glucose monomer test beverage, which frequently causes gastrointestinal symptoms, and venipuncture. We investigated a simplified test using a beverage of glucose polymer and a capillary whole blood glucose measurement. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, women at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation received a 50-g glucose monomer (n = 41) or glucose polymer (n = 35) beverage. Venous and capillary blood samples were obtained 1 hour later. The women then completed standardized questionnaires about their symptoms. RESULTS: The glucose polymer beverage was associated with significantly fewer symptoms than was the glucose monomer drink: the mean was 1.1 symptoms per test with the glucose monomer drink and 0.4 symptoms per test with the glucose polymer drink (P less than 0.05), 51 percent of the women developed symptoms after drinking the glucose monomer beverage, and 27 percent of the women developed symptoms after drinking the glucose polymer beverage (P less than 0.05). Glucose type did not affect the 1-hour plasma glucose level, mean 5.94 mmol/L (107 mg/dL) for the glucose monomer and 5.76 mmol/L (103.8 mg/dL) for the glucose polymer (P = 0.79). For the capillary test, sensitivity was 0.75 and specificity was 0.82 in detecting a screening test positive by the venous plasma glucose criterion. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that a glucose polymer beverage is better tolerated than a glucose monomer beverage during GDM screening, but capillary glucose measurement might be of limited use in clinics where many personnel perform the capillary blood glucose testing.

Blood Glucose