Secular trends in nutrient intakes of female nutrition students, 1986–1991

Abstract

Three-day dietary records obtained from female nutrition students between the years of 1986 and 1991 were examined for secular trends in nutrient intake. Students kept diet records for two weekdays and one weekend day as part of a course assignment in an introductory nutrition course. They hand-calculated their mean intakes of energy, macronutrients, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamin C. The students' data were checked for errors, and entered into a data file. Oneway analysis of variance and correlation analysis were used to detect secular trends in intake. Over the six years of the study, no changes in energy intake were observed. The percentage of energy from carbohydrate increased from 50% to 57% (p<0.001), and fat intake decreased from 33% to 27% of energy (p<0.001). Polyunsaturated fat intake also tended to increase (p<0.05). Among the vitamins and minerals, only vitamin A intake changed over time (p<0.01). The results of this study indicate that this group of students has made changes in their diets over time that are consistent with current nutrition recommendations.