Daily intake of macronutrients and energy in childhood and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in Colombians.

Abstract

Determine the intake and percentage of adequacy of macronutrients and their association with cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of Colombian schoolchildren. Cross-sectional study nested in a prospective population-based cohort in schoolchildren between 6 and10 years of age; cardiovascular risk markers and anthropometric measures were measured. Macronutrient intake was established through a food consumption frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The percentage of adequacy was evaluated by comparison with the dietary reference intakes (DRI) and the recommendations for energy and nutrient intake (RIEN) for the Colombian population. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between daily macronutrient/energy intake and cardiometabolic risk factors. A total of 1,282 school children (51.09% boys and 48.91% girls; mean age 8.4±1.4 years). The percentage of energy adequacy was 107% (Q1=87.5; Q3=127.2). The macronutrients in overadequacy were proteins and carbohydrates. The total fiber had a low adequacy around 26.0% (Q1=15.8; Q3=38.6). Fat intake was positively associated with BMI, insulin, and HOMA-IR index, while carbohydrate consumption was related to these same factors, although negatively in tight models. Schoolchildren in this study had an inadequate protein, carbohydrate, and fiber intake. The results suggest a significant positive and negative relationship between the consumption of both fat and carbohydrates and cardiometabolic risk factors such as BMI, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR.