American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 21, 1229-1238, Copyright © 1968 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Preliminary Biochemical Findings in Negro Migrant Workers at King Ferry, New York

¹ From the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Home Economics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, and Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Syracuse

Biochemical determinations were performed on blood and urine samples of 104 migrant farm workers in King Ferry, New York. Due to the lack of cooking facilities in the housing units, all food preparation was done by the wives of the crew bosses or helpers. Generally one meal was consumed per day. This consisted of beans and rice (or rice and gravy), luncheon meat sandwich, potato chips, and wine or coffee. The food consumed in the greatest quantity was rice, and more money was spent on alcoholic beverages than on any other item.

Blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit, plasma ascorbic acid, carotene, vitamin A, and erythrocyte hemolysate transketolase activity. Urinary samples were analyzed for creatinine, thiamine, and riboflavin. Of the total population the following percentages were below the acceptable category (deficient plus low): hematocrit of males, 22.3; females, 12.8; ascorbic acid, 14.7; carotene, 5.0; vitamin A, 1.3; thiamine, 37.7; and riboflavin, 31.5.