Food Composition Analysis Research Articles

Daily energy protein, calcium and phosphorus intakes of 100 women aged 30.3 ± 6.1 years (mean ± SD) living in a University community and consuming self-selected diets were assessed by calculation from threeday dietary records and food composition data, and by analysis of one-day food composites. The daily calculated intakes were 1803 ± 386 kcal (7544 ± 1615 kj), 74 ± 18 g protein, 943 ± 342 mg calcium and 1398 ± mg phosphorus with a mean Ca:P ratio of 1:1.5 (range = 1.1 to 1.6). Analyzed intakes were 1406 ± 396 kcal (5883 ± 1657 kj), 694 ± 292 mg calcium and 967 ± 335 mg phosphorus with a mean Ca:P ratio of 1:1.3 (range = 1:2.3 to 1:1). Mean calculated calcium, phosphorus and protein intakes exceeded the Canadian Dietary Standard (CDS) recommendation and only 8% of the subjects received calcium intakes less than two-thirds of the CDS recommendation. In contrast, the mean energy intake was below the CDS recommendation for women of comparable ages and activity patterns, 14% of the subjects obtaining less than two-thirds of this level. Six percent of the subjects had high phosphorus intakes (>2000 mg/day) and 8% had Ca:P ratios wider than 1:2. Milk and milk products were the major food sources of both calcium (66.7%) and phosphorus (37.1%), and breads and cereals (25.4%) followed by meat and meat substitutes (20.7%) were important sources of energy. Highly significant correlations (P<0.001) were noted between analyzed intakes of energy, calcium and phosphorus and those calculated from the corresponding record day. Mean calculated intakes and the calcium and phosphorus densities were higher than corresponding mean analyzed intakes (energy: 20.8%, calcium: 28.2%, phosphorus: 37.8%), (P<0.01), but Ca:P ratios were very similar — calculated Ca:P ratio = 1:1.5, analyzed Ca:P ratio = 1:1.3. The calcium content and Ca:P ratios of the majority of these diets appeared to pose no risk to accelerated bone loss in later life.

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