Lydia Jane Roberts | |
---|---|
Born | June 30, 1879 Hope Township, Michigan |
Died | May 28, 1965 Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of Chicago |
Occupation | nutritionist |
Lydia Jane Roberts (1879–1965) was a pioneering nutritionist in childhood nutrition, especially in creating government nutrition standards like the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of minerals and vitamins. [1] She studied and taught at the University of Chicago, receiving her Ph.D. in home economics in 1928 and later becoming department chair in 1930. [1]
Lydia Jane Roberts was born June 30, 1879, in Hope Township, Barry County, Michigan to Warren and Mary (McKibbin) Roberts. [2] She was one of four children. Her father was a carpenter. He moved the family to Martian, Michigan not long after the birth of Lydia. [2]
Roberts attended primary and high school in Martin, Michigan. [3] She completed a one-year course at Mt. Pleasant Normal School in 1899, and was later awarded a Life Certificate from Mt. Pleasant Normal School, allowing her to teach at any Michigan elementary school. [3] Roberts entered with advanced standing at the University of Chicago in 1915 where she majored in home economics under the direction of noted biochemist Katharine Blunt. [3]
After receiving her degree in home economics in 1917, Roberts worked as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago. Upon the completion of her Ph.D., she was promoted to Associate Professor. Roberts received full professorship and was appointed to the Chair of the Home Economics Department in 1930. [4] During her time as chair, she also served on the committee for creating the Recommended Daily Allowances, the suggested daily intake of nutrients. Due to mandatory retirement, Roberts left the University of Chicago in 1944 and took on the role of professor and Chair of the University of Puerto Rico, a position she held from 1946 to 1952 when she retired. [5] After retirement, Roberts continued to be active in initiatives for improvements in nutrition for the families of Puerto Rico.
Roberts had been a leader in the development of the first set of RDAs, or recommended daily allowances. [6] Roberts possessed the knowledge and expertise to create a scientifically sound set of RDAs. Her leadership approach was described as being democratic. [6] [4] Roberts had been a member of the National Research Council’s committee for food and nutrition. [5] She had served on three committees of the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection. [5] She had been a member of the American Medical Association’s Council on Foods and Nutrition. [5] Throughout her career, her main work had been along the lines of improving nutrition for children and families in need.
Roberts has been acknowledged for her work in nutrition. She received the Borden award of the Home Economics Association in 1938, [4] the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award in 1952 from the American Dietetic Association, [7] and in 1957, for her work with nutrition services to children, she received the Marshall Field Award. [7]
Additionally, Roberts has authored many books on nutrition. Her most notable book is Nutrition Work with Children, which was her dissertation for her Ph.D. before publishing it in 1928 as a textbook, focused on the nutritional needs of children. [4]
Other books written by Roberts include The Road to Good Nutrition (1942), [7] Patterns of Living in Puerto Rican Families (1949), [5] and The Dona Elena Project: Better Living Program in an Isolated Rural Community (1963). [5]
On May 28, 1965, Roberts died in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, from a ruptured abdominal aneurism. She is buried in East Martin Cemetery in Martin, Michigan.
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A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce. The requirement for dietary nutrient intake applies to animals, plants, fungi, and protists. Nutrients can be incorporated into cells for metabolic purposes or excreted by cells to create non-cellular structures, such as hair, scales, feathers, or exoskeletons. Some nutrients can be metabolically converted to smaller molecules in the process of releasing energy, such as for carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and fermentation products, leading to end-products of water and carbon dioxide. All organisms require water. Essential nutrients for animals are the energy sources, some of the amino acids that are combined to create proteins, a subset of fatty acids, vitamins and certain minerals. Plants require more diverse minerals absorbed through roots, plus carbon dioxide and oxygen absorbed through leaves. Fungi live on dead or living organic matter and meet nutrient needs from their host.
Antonia Coello Novello is a Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator. She was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as 14th Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993. Novello was the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as Surgeon General. Novello also served as Commissioner of Health for the State of New York from 1999 to 2006. Novello has received numerous awards including more than fifty honorary degrees, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2000, and has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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Fluoride or fluorine deficiency is a disorder which may cause increased dental caries and possibly osteoporosis, due to a lack of fluoride in diet. Common dietary sources of fluoride include tea, grape juice, wine, raisins, some seafood, coffee, and tap water that has been fluoridated. The extent to which the condition truly exists, and its relationship to fluoride poisoning has given rise to some controversy. Fluorine is not considered to be an essential nutrient, but the importance of fluorides for preventing tooth decay is well-recognized, despite the effect is predominantly topical. Prior to 1981, the effect of fluorides was thought to be largely systemic and preeruptive, requiring ingestion. Fluoride is considered essential in the development and maintenance of teeth by the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Fluoride incorporates into the teeth to form and harden teeth enamels. This makes the teeth more acid resistant, as well as more resistant to cavity forming bacteria. Caries-inhibiting effects of fluoride were first noticed 1902, when fluoride in high concentrations was found to stain teeth and prevent tooth decay.
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lydia roberts biographical dictionary of modern american educators.