ENERGETIC CONSEQUENCES OF MILD GIARDIA-INTESTINALIS INFESTATION IN MEXICAN CHILDREN

This study explored the effects of mild infestation with Giardia on en ergy intake and expenditure at rest and in activity in an urban Mexica n population. Ten boys aged 6-10 y living in low-income sectors in nor thwest Mexico who had Giardia infestation were recruited. Energy intak e, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and total free-living expenditure (TEE) measured by the doubly labeled water method were determined for 7 d d uring both infestation and after treatment. There was no significant d ifference in recorded energy intake between the two periods (7.76 and 7.70 MJ/d; P = 0.847). BMR showed no significant change in response to treatment; values were 4.79 and 4.86 MJ/d (P = 0.03). The mean TEE in creased by almost 1 MJ/d in the Giardia-free period. This increase was observed in 8 of the 10 subjects; however, the overall change was not statistically significant (P = 0.08).