Energetic consequences of mild Giardia intestinalis infestation in Mexican children

This study explored the effects of mild infestation with Giardia on energy intake and expenditure at rest and in activity in an urban Mexican population. Ten boys aged 6-10 y living in low-income sectors in northwest Mexico who had Giardia infestation were recruited. Energy intake, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and total free-living expenditure (TEE) measured by the doubly labeled water method were determined for 7 d during both infestation and after treatment. There was no significant difference 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 increased 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).