HANDOUT Starvation Study Q
Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study
Discussion Questions
1. What was the purpose of the study?
1) Gain insight into physical + psychological impact of starvation
2) Determine how to rehab a starving person (WWII in Europe)
2. Is the study an observational or experimental study?
a. How do you know? Experimental (they physically intervene with the subjects and the results were cause and effect)
b. Where did they find participants? Volunteers (they were doing public service, and they were available because we were at war and there was a draft. So, they were available. They had about 100 guys who said they were free, but they only chose 36.)
3. What were the criteria for participant selection? They had to be in good physical health, good mental health, could get along with others, could handle stress, and have a committed interest in rehab.
4. What were the 3 periods in the study?
a. How long did each period last? Control Period for 12 weeks at approx. 3200 cal/day (Tests-baseline), Semi-starvation for 24 weeks at approx. 1570 cal/day, Rehab Period for 12 weeks at 1570 cal/day.
b. What was the average calorie intake during each of these periods?
**See above**
5. How much protein & fat was consumed during the semi-starvation period? 1570 calories, 50 grams of protein, and 30 grams of fat.
6. During the Rehabilitation Period, were groups randomly assigned?
Four groups, additional caloric intake assigned to them.
7. During the Rehabilitation Period, did they give the “treatment” in a single blind, double blind method?
8. Was this a “gold standard” study?
You need random assignment, double blind (they didn’t have this), and they need clinical study (this is true since they’re studying humans).
9. Why did the individuals experience a loss in weight when their calories were increased for one day during the middle of the study? The protein in their chicken dinners triggered loss in body fluids, edema (protein deficiency, collected body fluids).
10. Why
Discussion Questions
1. What was the purpose of the study?
1) Gain insight into physical + psychological impact of starvation
2) Determine how to rehab a starving person (WWII in Europe)
2. Is the study an observational or experimental study?
a. How do you know? Experimental (they physically intervene with the subjects and the results were cause and effect)
b. Where did they find participants? Volunteers (they were doing public service, and they were available because we were at war and there was a draft. So, they were available. They had about 100 guys who said they were free, but they only chose 36.)
3. What were the criteria for participant selection? They had to be in good physical health, good mental health, could get along with others, could handle stress, and have a committed interest in rehab.
4. What were the 3 periods in the study?
a. How long did each period last? Control Period for 12 weeks at approx. 3200 cal/day (Tests-baseline), Semi-starvation for 24 weeks at approx. 1570 cal/day, Rehab Period for 12 weeks at 1570 cal/day.
b. What was the average calorie intake during each of these periods?
**See above**
5. How much protein & fat was consumed during the semi-starvation period? 1570 calories, 50 grams of protein, and 30 grams of fat.
6. During the Rehabilitation Period, were groups randomly assigned?
Four groups, additional caloric intake assigned to them.
7. During the Rehabilitation Period, did they give the “treatment” in a single blind, double blind method?
8. Was this a “gold standard” study?
You need random assignment, double blind (they didn’t have this), and they need clinical study (this is true since they’re studying humans).
9. Why did the individuals experience a loss in weight when their calories were increased for one day during the middle of the study? The protein in their chicken dinners triggered loss in body fluids, edema (protein deficiency, collected body fluids).
10. Why