## Technical Document: National Nutrition Survey Data - Massachusetts
### Overview
The image is a scanned page from a technical report titled "National Nutrition Survey." It presents statistical data on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, along with general socio-economic indicators, for the surveyed population in Massachusetts. The data is categorized by age group and sex (Males, Females) and is based on ICNND (Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense) guidelines for defining "unsatisfactory" levels. The document is in English.
### Components/Axes
The document is structured into three distinct sections, each with a title and corresponding data table(s).
1. **Section 1: Hemoglobin data - Massachusetts**
* **Header Text:** "8% of the surveyed population had unsatisfactory hemoglobin levels (ICNND guidelines)."
* **Table Structure:** A single table split into two main columns: "Males" and "Females." Each of these is subdivided into columns for "Age," "Def." (Deficient), "Low," and "Total Unsatisfactory." The "Total Unsatisfactory" is the sum of "Def." and "Low."
* **Age Groups (Rows):** 0-5 yr, 6-12, 13-16, 17-59, 60+.
2. **Section 2: Hematocrit data - Massachusetts**
* **Header Text:** "9.2% of the surveyed population had unsatisfactory hematocrit levels (ICNND guidelines)."
* **Table Structure:** Identical to the Hemoglobin table, with columns for "Males" (Age, Def., Low, Total Unsatisfactory) and "Females" (Def., Low, Total Unsatisfactory).
* **Age Groups (Rows):** 0-5 yr, 6-12, 13-16, 17-59, 60+.
3. **Section 3: General Socio-economic data - Massachusetts**
* **Structure:** A simple two-column list of metrics and their corresponding values.
* **Metrics:** Total number of persons examined, Mean family size, Mean income: $ per annum, Mean poverty index ratio, % of families below poverty index ratio of 1.00.
4. **Footer:** A source URL is visible at the very bottom: `Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/tnbf0227`
### Detailed Analysis
#### **Hemoglobin Data Table (Percentage of Population)**
| Age Group | Males - Def. | Males - Low | Males - Total Unsatisfactory | Females - Def. | Females - Low | Females - Total Unsatisfactory |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **0-5 yr** | 4.5 | 8.0 | **12.5** | 1.5 | 7.0 | **8.5** |
| **6-12** | 0.2 | 3.8 | **4.0** | 0.2 | 5.0 | **5.2** |
| **13-16** | 3.6 | 12.7 | **16.3** | 0.0 | 3.5 | **3.5** |
| **17-59** | 1.2 | 10.0 | **11.2** | 1.1 | 6.0 | **7.1** |
| **60+** | 0.7 | 14.3 | **15.0** | 0.5 | 4.7 | **5.2** |
#### **Hematocrit Data Table (Percentage of Population)**
| Age Group | Males - Def. | Males - Low | Males - Total Unsatisfactory | Females - Def. | Females - Low | Females - Total Unsatisfactory |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **0-5 yr** | 4.4 | 4.0 | **8.4** | 0.5 | 1.5 | **2.0** |
| **6-12** | 0.0 | 3.9 | **3.9** | 0.0 | 5.4 | **5.4** |
| **13-16** | 1.2 | 15.0 | **16.2** | 0.0 | 2.9 | **2.9** |
| **17-59** | 0.7 | 10.0 | **10.7** | 0.5 | 7.8 | **8.3** |
| **60+** | 0.0 | 20.0 | **20.0** | 0.5 | 3.8 | **4.3** |
#### **General Socio-economic Data**
* Total number of persons examined: **4,568**
* Mean family size: **5.31**
* Mean income: $ per annum: **6,500**
* Mean poverty index ratio: **2.29**
* % of families below poverty index ratio of 1.00: **19.5**
### Key Observations
1. **Age-Related Trends:** For both hemoglobin and hematocrit, the highest rates of unsatisfactory levels in males are found in the adolescent (13-16) and elderly (60+) groups. In females, the pattern is less consistent, but the 17-59 age group often shows relatively high rates.
2. **Sex-Based Differences:** Males consistently show higher percentages of unsatisfactory hemoglobin levels across all age groups compared to females. For hematocrit, males also show higher rates, particularly in the 13-16 and 60+ age groups.
3. **Deficiency vs. Low Levels:** In most categories, the "Low" category constitutes a much larger portion of the "Total Unsatisfactory" than the "Def." (Deficient) category. The exception is the 0-5 year old male group for hemoglobin, where deficiency (4.5%) is more than half of the total unsatisfactory rate (12.5%).
4. **Socio-economic Context:** The surveyed population has a relatively large mean family size (5.31) and a significant portion (19.5%) of families living below the poverty line, which provides potential context for the nutritional health data presented.
### Interpretation
This document provides a snapshot of nutritional health indicators (hemoglobin and hematocrit) within the context of socio-economic conditions in Massachusetts at the time of the survey. The data suggests that **adolescent males (13-16) and elderly males (60+) were the most vulnerable groups** for both hemoglobin and hematocrit deficiencies. The stark contrast between male and female rates, especially in the 13-16 age group (16.3% vs. 3.5% for hemoglobin), may point to biological factors, dietary differences, or other gender-specific influences.
The socio-economic data is crucial for interpretation. A mean income of $6,500 and a 19.5% poverty rate indicate economic hardship for a substantial segment of the surveyed population. This economic stress likely correlates with the observed nutritional deficiencies, as poverty limits access to nutrient-rich foods. The report's use of ICNND guidelines frames the data within a standardized public health assessment tool, allowing for comparison with other populations or time periods. The primary value of this document is in identifying specific at-risk demographic groups (by age and sex) and linking their nutritional status to broader socio-economic challenges, which would be essential for targeting public health interventions.
