488 SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD PROBLEMS 



for several months, and since danger seems remote, that reduced 

 rations for all adult civilians may be justifiable as a war measure 

 for a relatively long period of months. Professor Chittenden's con- 

 clusions from his experiments that a low-protein diet is practicable 

 seem fully substantiated ; this expensive source of food material 

 may thus be materially lowered. The calories may also, without 

 doubt, be lowered. Indeed, it may become a serious question as to 

 whether a patriot should be permitted in times of stress to carry 

 excess body-weight, for the expense of carrying it around calls for 

 calories that other people need. The excess weight is prima facie 

 evidence that he is living at the highest metabolic level, higher than 

 he needs by approximately 25 per cent., and there is no doubt that 

 the excess weight contributes to shorten life. 



Certain practical points in connection with a reduction in diet 

 are important. Difficulties in the shape of tendency to constipation 

 can be easily controlled by the use of bran, as was done in our study. 

 Bran also provides a certain amount of bulk which helps materially 

 in producing a feeling of satiety. It is quite clear that variation 

 in diet is absolutely essential. If a person craves a certain article 

 of food, he may eat it, but stick religiously to the " half portion." 

 The presence of an unlimited food supply on the table makes self 

 denial harder. Of special significance is the importance of not 

 eating between meals and of omitting the eating of extras in the 

 form of candy, peanuts, and minor luxuries. It has surprised us 

 to find how large a proportion of the total diet is made up of these 

 extras. Captain Gephart in his study of the food intake of St. 

 Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, found that out of a total 

 daily intake of 5,000 calories per boy, 647 calories were derived 

 from extras in the form of sweet chocolate, candy, coffee buns, etc. 

 With our control squad at Springfield when on normal diet, ap- 

 proximately 4,000 calories were consumed daily by each individual. 

 Of this amount about 400 calories were obtained from extras not 

 served at the table. 



This is no time for the epicure. Every person should be under, 

 rather than over weight and it should be popular not to be fat. 

 Today every woman as well as man, should make it a special mis- 

 sion to see to the physical condition and not carry around "excess 



