scholarly journals Dietary intake and nutritional status of children and adolescents in Europe

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (S2) ◽  
pp. S147-S211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Lambert ◽  
Carlo Agostoni ◽  
Ibrahim Elmadfa ◽  
Karin Hulshof ◽  
Edburga Krause ◽  
...  

The objective of this project was to collect and evaluate data on nutrient intake and status across Europe and to ascertain whether any trends could be identified. Surveys of dietary intake and status were collected from across Europe by literature search and personal contact with country experts. Surveys that satisfied a defined set of criteria – published, based on individual intakes, post-1987, adequate information provided to enable its quality to be assessed, small age bands, data for sexes separated above 12 years, sample size over 25 and subjects representative of the population – were selected for further analysis. In a small number of cases, where no other data for a country were available or where status data were given, exceptions were made. Seventy-nine surveys from 23 countries were included, and from them data on energy, protein, fats, carbohydrates, alcohol, vitamins, minerals and trace elements were collected and tabulated. Data on energy, protein, total fat and carbohydrate were given in a large number of surveys, but information was very limited for some micronutrients. No surveys gave information on fluid intake and insufficient gave data on food patterns to be of value to this project. A variety of collection methods were used, there was no consistency in the ages of children surveyed or the age cut-off points, but most surveys gave data for males and females separately at all ages. Just under half of the surveys were nationally representative and most of the remainder were regional. Only a small number of local surveys could be included. Apart from anthropometric measurements, status data were collected in only seven countries. Males had higher energy intakes than females, energy intake increased with age but levelled off in adolescent girls. Intakes of other nutrients generally related to energy intakes. Some north–south geographical trends were noted in fat and carbohydrate intakes, but these were not apparent for other nutrients. Some other trends between countries were noted, but there were also wide variations within countries. A number of validation studies have shown that misreporting is a major problem in dietary surveys of children and adolescents and so all the dietary data collected for this project should be interpreted and evaluated with caution In addition, dietary studies rely on food composition tables for the conversion of food intake data to estimated nutrient intakes and each country uses a different set of food composition data which differ in definitions, analytical methods, units and modes of expression. This can make comparisons between countries difficult and inaccurate. Methods of measuring food intake are not standardised across Europe and intake data are generally poor, so there are uncertainties over the true nutrient intakes of children and adolescents across Europe. There are insufficient data on status to be able to be able to draw any conclusions about the nutritional quality of the diets of European children and adolescents.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2906
Author(s):  
Heleen Van Puyvelde ◽  
Aurora Perez-Cornago ◽  
Corinne Casagrande ◽  
Geneviève Nicolas ◽  
Vickà Versele ◽  
...  

This study aimed to compare calculated nutrient intakes from two different food composition databases using data from the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Dietary intake data of the EPIC cohort was recently matched to 150 food components from the U.S. nutrient database (USNDB). Twenty-eight of these nutrients were already included in the EPIC nutrient database (ENDB—based upon country specific food composition tables), and used for comparison. Paired sample t-tests, Pearson’s correlations (r), weighted kappa’s (κ) and Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the dietary intake of 28 nutrients estimated by the USNDB and the ENDB for 476,768 participants. Small but significant differences were shown between the USNDB and the ENDB for energy and macronutrient intakes. Moderate to very strong correlations (r = 0.60–1.00) were found for all macro- and micronutrients. A strong agreement (κ > 0.80) was found for energy, water, total fat, carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, potassium and vitamin C, whereas a weak agreement (κ < 0.60) was found for starch, vitamin D and vitamin E. Dietary intakes estimated via the USNDB compare adequately with those obtained via the ENDB for most macro- and micronutrients, although the agreement was weak for starch, vitamin D and vitamin E. The USNDB will allow exposure assessments for 150 nutrients to investigate associations with disease outcomes within the EPIC cohort.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bess L. Caswell ◽  
Sameera A. Talegawkar ◽  
Ward Siamusantu ◽  
Keith P. West ◽  
Amanda C. Palmer

AbstractInadequate nutrient intakes put children at risk for impaired growth and development. We described diet, usual intakes of energy and macro- and micronutrients and prevalence of nutrient intake adequacies among 4–8-year-old Zambian children. Children not yet in school and living in Mkushi District, Central Province, Zambia were enrolled into an efficacy trial of pro-vitamin A biofortified maize. Children in the non-intervened arm were included in this analysis (n 202). Dietary intake data were collected by tablet-based 24-h recall on a monthly basis over the 6-month trial. Observed nutrient intakes were derived from reported food quantities, standard recipes and food composition tables. Usual nutrient intake distributions were modelled based on observed intakes. Prevalence of inadequacy was estimated by comparing the usual nutrient intake distribution to the nutrient requirement distribution. Frequency and quantity of consumption of commonly reported foods were described and key sources of energy and nutrients were identified. Median usual energy intake was 6422 kJ/d (1535 kcal/d). Most childrens’ macronutrient intakes fell within recommended ranges (74–98 %). Estimated prevalences of inadequate intakes of Fe, folate, vitamin B12 and Ca were 25, 57, 76 and >99 %, respectively. Estimated prevalences of inadequacy for other micronutrients were low (0·1–2·2 %). Commonly consumed foods included maize, vegetable oil, tomatoes, rape leaves and small fish (>0·6 servings/d), whereas meat, eggs or dairy were rarely eaten (<0·2 servings/d). These findings suggest that the heavily plant-based diet of rural Zambian children provides inadequate Ca, folate, vitamin B12 and Fe to meet recommended nutrient intakes.


1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Nelson

1. During 1978 and 1979, the 343 members of seventy-nine families representative of households with two adults and two or three children living in Cambridge, England, completed 7-d records of food consumption using the semi-weighed technique. Nutrient intakes were calculated using food composition tables.2. Amongst males, the average intakes of energy and most nutrients were highest in men and boys aged 11–17 years, and lowest in boys under 5 years. Amongst females, intakes were highest in girls aged 11–17 years, and lowest in those under 5 years. At each age, intakes in males were generally higher than those in females.3. Nutrient distribution within families was described using the ratio, intake of each subject: intake of the male head of the household. The problems inherent in using this ratio are discussed.4. The distribution of nutrient intakes within the families was not in accordance with the recommended daily amounts (RDA). Men and young boys received more than their fair share of the family diet, while women and girls aged 5–17 years received less.5. Estimates of dietary adequacy based on the averages of family consumption and requirements (RDA) concealed up to twofold variations in the adequacy of diet of different age-sex-groups.6. The interpretation of dietary adequacy in household food surveys should take into account the distribution of nutrient intakes within the household, as the distribution may be substantially different from that predicted by the RDA.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Nguyen ◽  
Dong Hoang ◽  
Phung Nguyen ◽  
Anh Ha ◽  
Tan Chu ◽  
...  

Inadequate intake of nutrients during pregnancy has been associated with poor pregnancy and infant outcomes; however, evidence remains limited in low-resource settings in Asia. This paper assessed food, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes among 1944 Vietnamese pregnant women. Dietary information was collected via an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire, and nutrient intakes were estimated using the Vietnamese food composition tables. The levels of nutrient intakes were evaluated against the Vietnamese recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for pregnancy. The diet profiles were reported as means and percentages. The average daily food intakes across socio-demographic factors were compared using ANOVA, with adjustment for multiple comparisons by the Tukey–Kramer test. Rice, fruits, and vegetables were the main food sources consumed. The mean energy intake was 2004 kcal/day with 15.9%, 31.8%, and 52.2% of energy deriving from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, respectively. Just over half of the women did not meet the RNI for total energy intake. The intakes of essential micronutrients including folate, calcium, iron, and zinc were below the RNI, and almost all pregnant women failed to meet the recommendations for these micronutrients. The associations of maternal age, education, and pre-pregnancy body mass index with nutrient intakes varied across the nutrient subgroups. Targeted programs are needed to improve nutrient intakes in Vietnamese pregnant women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Murakami ◽  
M. Barbara E. Livingstone ◽  
Satoshi Sasaki ◽  
Naoko Hirota ◽  
Akiko Notsu ◽  
...  

AbstractData on the combination of foods consumed simultaneously at specific eating occasions are scarce, primarily due to a lack of assessment tools. We applied a recently developed meal coding system to multiple-day dietary intake data for assessing its ability to estimate food and nutrient intakes and characterise meal-based dietary patterns in the Japanese context. A total of 242 Japanese adults completed sixteen non-consecutive-day weighed dietary records, including 14 734 eating occasions (3788 breakfasts, 3823 lunches, 3856 dinners and 3267 snacks). Common food group combinations were identified by meal type to identify a range of generic meals. Dietary intake was calculated on the basis of not only the standard food composition database but also the substituted generic meal database. In total, eighty generic meals (twenty-three breakfasts, twenty-one lunches, twenty-four dinners and twelve snacks) were identified. The Spearman correlation coefficients between food group intakes calculated based on the standard food composition database and the substituted generic meal database ranged from 0·26 to 0·85 (median 0·69). The corresponding correlations for nutrient intakes ranged from 0·17 to 0·82 (median 0·61). A total of eleven meal patterns were established using principal components analysis, and these accounted for 39·1 % of total meal variance. Considerable variation in patterns was seen in meal type inclusion and choice of staple foods (bread, rice and noodles) and drinks, and also in meal constituents. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the usefulness of a meal coding system for assessing habitual diet, providing a scientific basis towards the development of simple meal-based dietary assessment tools.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Antiporta ◽  
Ramya Ambikapathi ◽  
Anuradha Bose ◽  
Bruna Maciel ◽  
Tjale Mahopo ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To estimate the usual energy and micronutrient intakes of children 9–24 mo of age and evaluate the probability of adequacy of the diet in 7 MAL-ED sites. Methods Breastfeeding was evaluated biweekly from enrolment (≤17 d old) through 24 mo; beginning at 9 mo, monthly 24-hour recalls (up to 17 recalls/child) were used to quantify intakes of complementary foods. Energy, macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were calculated using site-specific food composition tables. Based on the Morseth et al (2016) analysis of the Nepal MAL-ED site, we estimated energy and nutrient intakes from breast milk to derive total energy and nutrient intakes. For each site and 3 mo-age period, we estimated usual intakes of energy and 13 micronutrients for each child, considering age, sex, month and day of the week, then predicted the distribution of intakes by age period and site. We then compared each intake distribution to the recommended dietary allowance to derive the median probability of adequacy (MPA) and respective inter-quartile range (IQR). We evaluated iron and zinc considering bioavailability. Results Among 1669 children, median %energy (%E) from breast milk ranged from 23–71%E at 9–12 mo, and declined to 25–40%E at 21–24 mo. Iron bioavailability was low for all sites, but many diets were of moderate bioavailability for zinc. MPA were 1 (IQR = 0) in Brazil and South Africa, except for iron and vitamin E (both), calcium (South Africa) and zinc (low bioavailable diet in South Africa). MPA for zinc increased from 9–24 mo only for children consuming a diet with moderate bioavailability. MPA increased for many nutrients from 12–24 mo as the nutrient density of complementary foods increased; however, MPA for vitamin A remained low in Bangladesh and Tanzania. In Tanzania, calcium and B12 MPA declined and IQR increased as cow's milk remained in the diets of only some children. For most sites and age groups, MPA were 0 (IQR = 0) for Vitamins D, E and iron. Conclusions MPA increases from 12–24 mo as children consume more nutrient-dense complementary foods. Ways to increase consumption of foods containing vitamins D, E, and A, and calcium are needed, as are ways to increase bioavailability of iron and zinc. Funding Sources The MAL-ED study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through grants to the Foundation for the NIH and NIH/FIC.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart Forsyth ◽  
Sheila Gautier ◽  
Norman Salem Jr.

Background/Aim: For international recommendations on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) dietary intake to be valid, there needs to be a greater understanding of dietary patterns across both the developed and developing world. The aim of this investigation was to provide a global overview of dietary intake of DHA and ARA. Methods: Food balance sheets from the Food and Agriculture Organisation Statistics Division and fatty acid composition data from Australian food composition tables in Nutrient Tables 2010 were utilised to generate median per capita intake estimates for DHA and ARA in 175 countries worldwide. Results: Estimated dietary intake per capita for DHA and ARA in 47 developed and 128 developing countries demonstrated that 48% of the 175 countries have an ARA intake of <150 mg/day and 64% have a dietary DHA intake of <200 mg/day. There was a direct relationship between dietary ARA and DHA intake and the per capita gross national income of the country. Regional analysis showed the lowest ARA and DHA dietary intake in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asian populations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates there are many populations worldwide that have ARA and DHA intake that do not reflect current international recommendations, and the public health consequences of this global inadequacy need to be urgently considered.


2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Neufingerl ◽  
Ratna Djuwita ◽  
Anke Otten-Hofman ◽  
Reisi Nurdiani ◽  
Ursula Garczarek ◽  
...  

AbstractEssential fatty acids (EFA) such as α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA) are needed for healthy growth and development of children. Worldwide, reliable intake data of EFA are often lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate dietary intake of EFA in Indonesian children. Dietary intake data of 4–12-year-old children (n 45 821) from a nationally representative Indonesian survey were used to estimate median intake and distribution of population fatty acid intake. Missing data on individual fatty acids in the Indonesian food composition table were complemented through chemical analyses of national representative food samples and imputation of data from the US nutrient database. Nutrient adequacy ratios were calculated as a percentage of FAO/WHO intake recommendations. The medians of total fat intake of the children was 26·7 (10th–90th percentile 11·2–40·0) percentage of total daily energy (%E). Intakes of fatty acids were 4·05 (10th–90th percentile 1·83–7·22) %E for total PUFA, 3·36 (10th–90th percentile 1·14–6·29) %E for LA and 0·20 (10th–90th percentile 0·07–0·66) %E for ALA. Median intake of PUFA was 67 % and that of ALA 40 % of the minimum amounts recommended by FAO/WHO. These data indicate that a majority of Indonesian children has intakes of PUFA and specifically ALA that are lower than recommended intake levels. Total fat and LA intakes may be suboptimal for a smaller yet considerable proportion of children. Public health initiatives should provide practical guidelines to promote consumption of PUFA-rich foods.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Luis Manuel Puerto Parejo ◽  
Olga Leal-Hernández ◽  
Ignacio Aliaga ◽  
Raul Roncero-Martin

Background: The health benefits arising from the antioxidant vitamin E is well recognized and its recommended dietary intake for the general population have been established. However, there is still a need for assessing antioxidant vitamin intake in different population groups. Objective: To assess intake of antioxidant vitamin E and to identify its major sources in the diets of healthy premenopausal women from Extremadura. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 123 premenopausal women from Spanish population. Antioxidant vitamin dietary intake was assessed by individual 7-day records. Data was analyzed using updated “Spanish Food Composition Tables”. Results: The average daily intake of antioxidant vitamin E was: 2.58±0.85 mg/day.  Dietary vitamin E was around 76.54% lower than that recommended. Diets that were deficient in vitamin E were recorded in the 100% of the interviewed premenopausal women from Extremadura. Conclusions: The average intake of antioxidant vitamin E was not found to be in recommended range, no significant differences were observed between the lowest and the highest intake. They were no differences in the consumption of food products recognized as major sources of vitamin E in the study population. It is therefore necessary to increase the consumption of foods that provide a valuable dietary source for this vitamin. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salima Taylor ◽  
Mandy Korpuski ◽  
Sai Das ◽  
Cheryl Gilhooly ◽  
Ryan Simpson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Self-monitoring food intake is a cornerstone of national recommendations for health, but existing applications are burdensome, which limits use. OBJECTIVE We developed and pilot tested a new app (COCO Nutritionist) that combines speech understanding technology with technologies for mapping foods to appropriate food composition codes in national databases, for lower-burden and automated nutritional analysis of self-reported dietary intake. METHODS COCO was compared with the multiple-pass, interviewer-administered 24h-recall method for assessment of energy intake. COCO was used for five consecutive days, and 24-h dietary recalls were obtained for two of the days. Participants were 35 women and men with a mean age of 28 (range 20-58) years, and mean Body Mass Index of 24 (range 17-48) kg/m2. RESULTS There was no significant difference in energy intake between values obtained by COCO and 24-h recall for days when both methods were used (2092 +/- 1044 [SD] versus 2030 +/- 687 [SD], P=0.70). There was also no differences between the methods in the percent of energy from protein, carbohydrate and fat (P=0.27-0.89), and no trend in energy intake obtained with COCO over the entire 5-day study period (p=0.186). CONCLUSIONS This first demonstration of a dietary assessment method using natural spoken language to map reported foods to food composition codes demonstrates a promising new approach to automate assessments of dietary intake. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


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