Macro- and micro-nutrient intake among Hungarian general and Roma adults

Abstract

Abstract Background Few studies have been conducted with reference to dietary intake among adults in Hungary and none among Roma. In this study, we assess dietary intake of both Hungarian general (HG) and Hungarian Roma (HR) adult population and provide an up-to-date preview on highly health-relevant macro- and micro-nutrient intakes and dietary profile of the HG and HR adult population. Methods The study population comprised 797 Hungarian adults (HG: N = 410, response rate=82% and HR: N = 387, response rate=79%), representative in terms of geographic, sex and age distribution with the general population aged 20-64 years, from the 2018 GINOP Complex Health Survey. Energy and selected nutrient intakes were calculated with NutriComp v.3.0, based on a qualitatively validated double 24 hours dietary recall, adopted for the Hungarian population. Results Total daily energy and selected nutrients intake among HG and HR adult subjects are reported. In spite of the presence of diluted underestimation effects, intake of nutrients with high relevance to health (i.e. sugars, sodium, saturated fats, cholesterol, etc.) remains relatively high, while consumption of fibre-rich products and beneficial nutrients appear to be low, particularly among Roma. Considering both health and environmental impact of the diet, animal-based proteins are way over the target value (i.e. 6%E) of the recent EAT-Lancet report. Conclusions Findings provide data on dietary patterns of HG and HR with nutrient-level estimations, highlighting the importance of establishing and integrating Roma nutrition in national surveillance and monitoring systems for key dietary risk factors. Public health strategies to modify current dietary patterns in Hungary are a great opportunity for improving nutrition, health and environmental impact of dietary choices, especially within the current framework of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025). Key messages Our study highlights the importance of establishing and integrating Roma nutrition in national surveillance and monitoring systems for key dietary risk factors. Current findings warrant further investigations of the nutritional and dietary patterns among Hungarian General and Roma adult population and their impact on health and environment.