The Validity of Total Diet Studies for Assessing Nutrient Intake

1. Sixty-four subjects from the rural areas of Ibadan participated in a study to determine the contribution of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) foods to the total intake of nutrients in a mixed diet. The subjects were randomly selected from those who, according to their mothers, reacted to cowpea foods (reactors) and those who did not (non-reactors).2. The results showed that for all subjects, protein, energy and riboflavin needs were not met from the total diet consumed. However, the requirements for vitamin A, thiamin and iron were met.3. Between 30 months and 3 years of age, cowpeas contributed 36.2 and 30.3 % of protein intake for nonreactors and reactors respectively. Corresponding values for energy intake were 17.3 and 17.2 % respectively. Lower percentages were contributed by the diets of 4- to 6-year-olds.4. Irrespective of the classification system used, some of the subjects were found to be suffering from mild to moderate malnutrition, with a few severe cases.

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Influence of Maternal Education on Food Consumption and Energy and Nutrient Intake in a Group of Pre-School Children from Madrid

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.73.6.439 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 73 (6) ◽

pp. 439-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Navia ◽

Ortega ◽

Requejo ◽

Perea ◽

López-Sobaler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

School Children ◽

Food Habits ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Dietary Adequacy ◽

Consumption Energy ◽

Maternal Educational Level ◽

Energy And Nutrient Intake

A study was conducted on the influence of maternal education level on food consumption, energy and nutrient intake, and dietary adequacy in 110 pre-school children from Madrid, Spain. With increasing maternal education, children consumed more sugar (p < 0.05), fruit (p < 0.05), and fish (p < 0.05). Snacking was more frequent with decreasing maternal education (p < 0.05). Though statistical significance was not reached, the consumption of pre-cooked foods was greater among children of mothers educated to a higher level, a phenomenon probably related to the work situation of these women. With respect to dietary composition, no significant differences were found between groups for macronutrient, fiber and energy intakes, except for energy supplied by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which was greater in the children of less educated women (p < 0.01). This is probably due to their greater consumption of sunflower seed oil. The diets of children belonging to well-educated mothers came closer to meeting the recommended intakes for folate, vitamin C, and iodine. It would seem that maternal educational level influences the food habits of children. Mothers with less education may require special advice in this area.

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Trends in Dietary Intake of Vitamins A, C, and E in German Children and Adolescents – Results of the DONALD Study

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.73.5.335 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 73 (5) ◽

pp. 335-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alexy ◽

Kersting ◽

Sichert-Hellert

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Time Trends ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Age Groups ◽

Food Groups ◽

Fortified Food ◽

Vitamin Intake ◽

Dietary Records ◽

The Impact

Intake of vitamins A, C, and E was evaluated and age and time trends were assessed on the basis of 3-day weighed dietary records (n = 5121) of 2- to 18-year old boys (n = 417) and girls (n = 425) enrolled in the DONALD Study (Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study) 1986–2001. Intake of vitamin A remains stable over time, intake of vitamin C increases linearly, and intake of vitamin E follows a nonlinear trend. Age trends of vitamins A and C (per MJ) were nonlinear with a minimum at the beginning adolescence, while intake of vitamin E (per MJ) increased linearly. Girls had higher nutrient densities but lower intakes expressed as percent of reference values. Fortified food in total had a higher impact on time trends of nutrient intake than other single food groups defined here. Our results point to the impact of the food industry on long-term nutrient intake, but also underline the necessity of nutrition education even in young age groups to improve vitamin intake.

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The Relationship Between Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Cataracts in Older People

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.76.6.359 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 359-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽

Ortega ◽

López-Sobaler ◽

Aparicio ◽

Bermejo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Older People ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Elderly People ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Weighing Method ◽

The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between the intake of antioxidant nutrients and the suffering of cataracts in 177 institutionalized elderly people (61 men and 116 women) aged ≥ 65 years. Dietary intake was monitored for 7 consecutive days using a "precise individual weighing" method. Subjects, who during their earlier years were exposed by their work to sunlight, had a greater risk of suffering cataracts (OR = 3.2; Cl: 1.1–9.3, P < 0.05) than those who worked indoors. A relationship was found between increased vitamin C intake and a reduced prevalence of cataracts (i.e., when comparing those above P95 for vitamin C intake with those below P5; (OR = 0.08; Cl: 0.01–0.75, P 0.05). Among subjects with cataracts, 12.1% had vitamin C intakes of < 61 mg/day (P10) and only 2.2% had intakes of > 183 mg/day (P95) (p < 0.01). Subjects who consumed > 3290 μg/day (P95) of lutein were less likely to have cataracts (OR = 0.086; Cl: 0.007–1.084; p < 0.05) than those whose consumption was < 256 μg/day (P5). In men, high intakes of zeaxanthin seemed to provide a protective effect against the problem (OR = 0.96; Cl: 0.91–0.99; p < 0.05). The results suggest an association exists between exposure to sunlight and the development of cataracts, and that vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin offer some protection against this disorder.

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