High Prevalence Of Inadequate Intake Research Articles

How does Canada's new vitamin D fortification policy affect the high prevalence of inadequate intake of the vitamin?

The 2023 vitamin D fortification policy may significantly reduce inadequacies in non-supplement consumers; however, the policy is far from eliminating population-level vitamin D inadequacies and supplementation should still be encouraged.

Disparities in fruit and vegetable intake at the intersection of gender and education in northern Sweden: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEven though the existence of inequalities in fruit and vegetable consumption has been well established, it is not clear how it is patterned across intersections of multiple social positions and identities. This study aims to investigate disparities in fruit and vegetable intake between groups at the intersection of education and gender in northern Sweden, and to estimate the discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups.MethodsCross-sectional data from the 2018 Health on Equal Terms survey conducted in four regions in northern Sweden was used (N = 21,853). Four intersectional groups were created: high and low educated men, and high and low educated women. Prevalence differences corresponding to joint, referent, and excess intersectional inequalities, were estimated for three outcomes: inadequate fruit and vegetable intake combined, inadequate fruit intake, and inadequate vegetable intake. The discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsLow educated men had the highest prevalence of inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables combined (81.4%), fruits (83.4%), and vegetables (84.9%), while high educated women had the lowest (47.7, 60.2, and 51.8%, respectively). The joint disparities between high educated women and low educated men were both significant and substantial for all outcomes (34.6 percentage points (pp.), 25.2 pp., and 31.2 pp., adjusted), although differences in magnitude were noted between fruit and vegetable intake. The joint disparities were mostly explained by the two referent disparities for gender and education. The excess intersectional disparity - the part of the joint disparity not explained by either referent disparity – was negative for all three outcomes (-5.5 pp., − 4.2 pp., and − 4.6 pp. respectively, adjusted). The discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups was moderate (0.67, 0.65, and 0.68 respectively).ConclusionsAn intersectional approach can provide a more detailed view of inequalities in fruit and vegetable consumption between groups combining several social positions. The moderate discriminatory accuracy observed here suggests that interventions and policies aiming to reduce diet inequalities should not solely be targeted at certain groups, but also be universal.

Milk beverages can reduce nutrient inadequacy among Brazilian pre-school children: a dietary modelling study

BackgroundPrevious studies found high prevalence of inadequate intakes of vitamins E, D and K, calcium and potassium among Brazilian pre-school children, with suboptimal consumption of dairy products. Dietary modelling was applied to determine the theoretical impact of improving dairy products consumption on nutrient adequacy in 4–5-year-old Brazilian children.MethodsAdherence to the dairy recommendation of two servings/day was calculated using data from the Brazil Kids Nutrition and Health Study (KNHS) (n = 228). Two modelling scenarios were applied to test the impact on nutrient intakes of (1) adding one or two servings of a frequently consumed cow’s milk or a widely available fortified alternative: pre-school children milk (PCM), and of (2) substituting the current milk consumed by PCM. Mean nutrient intakes and percentage of children adhering to the nutrient recommendations were determined at baseline and after applying modelling scenarios.ResultsSeventy-six percent (n = 174) of children did not meet the recommended daily two servings of dairy products, 56% had less than one serving of dairy products on the day of recall. The mean consumption of whole milk (fortified and unfortified) was 147 g/d, yoghurt 114 g/d and cheese 34 g/d. The addition of one serving of cow’s milk demonstrated a 17% reduction in calcium inadequacy, 18% reduction in vitamin A and 3% reduction in zinc inadequacy. Adding one serving of PCM further reduced calcium inadequacy from 87 to 41%, vitamin E from 81 to 37%, and zinc inadequacy by 10%. Replacing the child’s current milk with a PCM resulted in further reduction of micronutrient inadequacies, including calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E.ConclusionsDairy products consumption in pre-school children should be encouraged to reduce nutrient inadequacies. In particular, consumption of PCM would help to reduce calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E inadequacy, nutrients of concern in this population.

Higher carbohydrate quality index is associated with better adequate micronutrient consumption in Brazilian women.

Introduction: inadequate consumption of micronutrients is an emerging public health problem that can compromise health. Objectives: to assess whether the quality of dietary carbohydrates is associated with the consumption of 13 micronutrients in a sample of women monitored by the Brazilian Unified Health System. Methods: this cross-sectional study included 648 women monitored by the Brazilian Unified Health System. The association between quality of dietary carbohydrates and adequacy of consumption of 13 micronutrients was investigated using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounding variables. Results: the consumption of micronutrients increased as the quality of carbohydrates improved. The micronutrients with the highest prevalence of inadequate intake were vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, and thiamine. After adjustments using logistic regression models, women in the third tertile of the carbohydrate quality index were less likely to have an inadequate consumption of magnesium (odds ratio (OR), 0.29; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.14-0.59), manganese (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21-0.49), and copper (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.37). Conclusions: intake of a higher quality of dietary carbohydrates is associated with improved adequacy in consumption of most micronutrients in women monitored by the Brazilian Unified Health System, especially magnesium, manganese, and copper, after adjustment using regression models.

Nutrient intakes of Canadian adults: results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)–2015 Public Use Microdata File

Accurate estimates of the usual intake of nutrients are important for monitoring nutritional adequacy and diet quality of populations. In Canada, comprehensive, nationally representative nutrient estimates have not been available since the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition 2004 survey. The objective of this research was to assess nutrient intakes, distributions, and adequacy of the intakes of Canadian adults. Participants' first 24-h dietary recall, and the second-day recall from a subset of participants from the recently released CCHS 2015 Public Use Microdata File (PUMF) were used to estimate usual intakes of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals in adults [≥19 y, excluding lactating females and those with invalid energy intake (EI)]. Usual intakes by DRI age-sex groups were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method, adjusted for age, sex, misreporting status, weekend/weekday, and sequence of recall analyzed (first/second) with outliers removed (final sample, n=11,992). Usual intakes from food were assessed for prevalence of inadequacy in relation to DRI recommendations. Canadian macronutrient intakes were within the recommended acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges. EI was 2154 kcal/d for males (19+) and 1626 kcal/d for females (19+). A high prevalence of inadequate intakes was seen for vitamin A (>47%), vitamin D (>94%), vitamin C (>29% for nonsmokers and>59% for smokers), magnesium (>45%), and calcium (>44%), whereas<25% and<40% of adults (19+) had intakes above the adequate intake for fiber and potassium, respectively. Canadians continue to consume sodium in excess of recommendations (74.8% of males and 47.6% of females). A significant number of Canadian adults may not be meeting recommendations for several essential nutrients, contributing to nutrient inadequacies. These results highlight the nutrients of concern by specific age-sex groups that may be important for public health interventions aimed at improving diet quality and nutrient adequacy for Canadian adults.

Spatial farming systems diversity and micronutrient intakes of rural children in Ethiopia.

Own production contributes much of the food supply in smallholder production systems in low‐ and middle‐income countries like Ethiopia. Understanding the potential as well as constraints of these production systems in terms of nutrient supplies is thus a critical step to design interventions to improve nutrient intakes. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the usual total intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc among rural children and (2) to investigate whether the intakes these nutrients are associated with differences in the dominant farming systems between spatial clusters. Using nationally representative intake data of 4,902 children 6–35 months of age, usual intake and the proportion of inadequate intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc were calculated. A multi‐level model was used to examine the association between individual‐level and cluster‐level variables with the usual total dietary intakes of these nutrients. The diet was dominated by starchy foods. Consumption of animal source foods, vitamin A‐rich fruits and vegetables was low. We found a high prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin A and zinc (85.4% and 49.5%, respectively). Relatively, low prevalence of inadequate intake of iron (8.4%) was reported. The spatial farming systems diversity across the rural clusters explained 48.2%, 57.2% and 26.7% of the observed variation in the usual total dietary intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc, respectively. Our findings indicated the importance of farming system diversity at the landscape level as one of the determinant factors for individual usual total dietary intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc.

Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents: Association between Intake of Vitamins A and E and Lipid Profile

Background: The diet of Brazilian adolescents is characterized by high intake of fats and sugars and low consumption of antioxidant micronutrients, particularly vitamins A and E. In addition to dietary inadequacies, a significant number of these adolescents present changes in plasma lipoproteins, which may be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. Objective: To investigate the association between inadequate intake of vitamins A and E and changes in plasma lipoprotein concentrations in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, school-based, nationwide study with 37,023 Brazilian adolescents aged 12 to 17 years were included. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, vitamin A and E intake, and lipid and anthropometric profile were collected. The Student’s t-test was used to compare means and a logistic regression to verify associations; analyses were conducted in the STATA software version 14.0. The study was approved by the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions and all participants signed an Assent Form. Results: The average vitamin A intake was higher among boys, but consumption below recommendation was found in both sexes. Inadequate intake of vitamins A and E was associated with a higher risk of low HDL-c levels in male and public school adolescents. Low vitamin E intake was associated with a higher risk of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in Brazilian adolescents. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamins A and E among Brazilian adolescents and data suggesting associations between low intake of these micronutrients and changes in plasma lipoprotein concentrations in this public.

Inadequacy of nutrient intake among adolescent girls in south central Ethiopia.

Adolescent undernutrition is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Inadequate dietary intake of nutrients is the major determinants of undernutrition. However, the adequacy of dietary intake among adolescents was not sufficiently explored. The present study aims to estimate the inadequacy of nutrient intake among adolescent girls in south central Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. We assess food and nutrient intake using repeated multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall. The study was conducted in Damot Gale district, Woliyta zone, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 288 female adolescents. The majority of adolescent girls consumed cereals (96⋅9 %) and roots/tubers (75⋅3 %). However, only less than 1 % of them consumed flesh food. The mean energy, carbohydrate, protein and dietary fibre intake of the adolescent girls per day was 1452⋅7 ± 356⋅3 kcal, 305⋅6 ± 72⋅4 g, 35⋅7 ± 13⋅3 g and 18⋅6 ± 8⋅4 g, respectively. The median fat intake was 13⋅3 g (IQR 8⋅8, 19⋅8). The contribution of carbohydrate, protein and fat for the total energy was 80, 10 and 8 %, respectively. The prevalence of inadequate intake of protein was 60⋅9 %. The prevalence of inadequate intake of iron for early adolescents and late adolescents was 82 and 53 %, respectively. The prevalence of inadequate intake of folate was 83⋅9 % and zinc was 58 %. The prevalence of inadequate intake was greater than 90 % for vitamin B12, vitamin C and calcium. The present study found an alarmingly high prevalence of inadequate intake of some nutrients among adolescent girls of Damot Gale district.

Dietary Intakes of Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium by the General Adult Population Aged 20-50 Years in Shiraz, Iran: A Total Diet Study Approach.

In the present total diet study, the dietary intake of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and sodium (Na) by healthy adults in Shiraz, Iran, was estimated from the foods as consumed. A total of 580 individual food items were collected, prepared, and pooled into 129 composite samples. The metal concentration was then evaluated using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The mean intakes of Zn (12.92 mg/d), Cu (3.80 mg/d), and Mg (412.68 mg/d) exceeded the estimated average requirements (EARs), but they were well below the upper limits. A high prevalence of inadequate intake was observed for Ca (91.6%) and P (89.7%), which was mainly due to nutritionally imbalanced diets. Sodium intake for average and high consumers (97.5th percentile) was 123.6% and 237.8% of the tolerable upper intake level of 2300 mg/d, respectively, with 70% of the participants having intakes higher than this threshold value. Nutrition education, nutritional rehabilitation, Ca supplementation, food fortification, mandatory reduction of salt content in processed foods, and discretionary salt use (in home cooking or at the table) are among the possible strategies that can be adopted to combat the health problems.

Anthropometry before Day 46 and Growth Velocity before 6 Months of Guatemalan Breastfed Infants Are Associated with Subclinical Mastitis and Milk Cytokines, Minerals, and Trace Elements

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an inflammatory condition of the mammary gland, but its association with human milk composition and infant growth is not well described. We investigated whether SCM, milk cytokines, and/or estimated intakes of milk minerals and trace elements were associated with infant anthropometry or growth velocity before 6 mo. Breast milk was collected from Mam-Mayan mothers (n=114) at both early (2-46 d) and established (4-6 mo) lactation. Concentrations of 9 elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc) analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to estimate infants' daily intakes. Concentrations of 4 cytokines were measured. Milk concentrations and infants' estimated elemental intakes and anthropometric measurements during early and established lactation were compared by SCM status. Multiple regression was used to identify factors associated with infant growth attainment (<46 d) for infant weight- (WAZ), length- (LAZ), and head circumference-for-age (HCAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ) z scores and with growth velocity (expressed as Δ/d) from early to established lactation. SCM prevalence was higher in early (30%) than established (10%) lactation. Breast milk of SCM mothers had higher cytokine concentrations and higher magnesium in early and higher selenium concentrations in both early and established lactation (Padj<0.0121). At day 46, regression models showed inverse associations of SCM with WLZ and IL-1β with LAZ (Padj<0.0150). In contrast, linear growth velocity was positively associated with IL-1β measured in early lactation (Padj<0.0124), whereas cranial growth velocity was positively associated with IL-8 measured during established lactation ( Padj<0.0124). Despite a high prevalence of inadequate intakes, only infants' intake of milk magnesium during early lactation was associated with linear growth velocity in breastfed infants <6 mo. Evidence shows that SCM, breast-milk cytokines, and infants' estimated intakes of select elements are independently associated with growth attainment and growth velocity during lactation.

Inadequate nutrient intakes in Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents are common among those from rural areas and poor families.

BackgroundAdequate nutrition during childhood and adolescence is essential to promote growth and development.ObjectiveThis study evaluated usual energy and nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents.DesignFood and beverage intakes were collected from a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 6–9 and 10–12 years (n = 3,594 and n = 2,971, respectively) and adolescents aged 13–18 years (n = 5,447) using 24-h dietary recalls. The distributions of usual energy and nutrient intakes and the prevalence of inadequate intakes, which is defined as the percent of children with intakes less than estimated average requirements or acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, were estimated using the Personal Computer Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) program.ResultsThe results showed that the mean energy intakes were 19–35% lower than estimated energy requirement. High prevalence of inadequate intakes was found for most macro- and micronutrients. Prevalence of inadequacies was as follows: protein 12–47%, total fat (as percentage of energy) 38–52%, calcium 92–94%, iron 75–90%, vitamin C 68–96%, folate 61–93%, vitamin A 58–81%, riboflavin 58–91%, thiamin 27–75%, and phosphorus 18–91%.ConclusionsGenerally, prevalence of inadequacy of key nutrients were relatively high among adolescents and schoolchildren, especially those from poor families and rural areas. This study demonstrated that nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents were highly inadequate, particularly among the poor and those living in rural areas.

Suboptimal Vitamin B Intakes of Zambian Preschool Children: Evaluation of 24-Hour Dietary Recalls.

Hidden hunger affects individuals who chronically consume an inadequate intake of at least 1 micronutrient and is associated with low dietary diversity. Little data are available on dietary intake or status assessment of B vitamins among preschool children in Zambia. The aim of this study was to assess 24-hour dietary recall records obtained from Zambian children aged 3 to 7 years for B vitamin intake in relation to adequacy and change over time in the same community. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected from 2 studies that were 2 years apart in the same district of Zambia. Data were retrospectively analyzed for B vitamin intake, that is, biotin, vitamin B12, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and thiamin. The estimated average requirement (EAR) cut point method was used to assess inadequacy prevalence for EARs established by the Institute of Medicine in the United States. For all B vitamins, mean values were below the EARs established for children 4 to 8 years old. Relative to the EAR, children had the highest intakes of vitamin B6 with inadequacies of 77.9% and 60.1% in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The highest prevalence of inadequate intake was associated with folate, where ≥95% of the children had intakes below the EAR in both studies. All median vitamin B intakes were inadequate among these young children in rural Zambia. Future researchers and policy makers may need to consider B vitamin status in resource-poor areas of the country.

Micronutrient intake in elderly living in nursing homes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestion of micronutrients in elderly living in nursing homes. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 individuals of both sexes, age equal or greater than 60 years, living in nursing homes for elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Direct weighing of the food was used to get food intake, and prevalence of inadequacy was obtained using the software Multiple Source Method (MSM) and evaluated by estimated average requirement (EAR). A high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients was observed, being over 90% for vitamins E, folate, pyridoxine and calcium, in both sexes and between 50 and 70% for selenium, retinol, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin and vitamin C. The high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients in elderly living on nursing homes observed in this study may be used for planning public health strategies aiming to improve the nutritional context of this population and their quality of life, reducing the costs of health care.

ERICA: intake of macro and micronutrients of Brazilian adolescents.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To describe food and macronutrient intake profile and estimate the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake of Brazilian adolescents.METHODS Data from 71,791 adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years were evaluated in the 2013-2014 Brazilian Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA). Food intake was estimated using 24-hour dietary recall (24-HDR). A second 24-HDR was collected in a subsample of the adolescents to estimate within-person variability and calculate the usual individual intake. The prevalence of food/food group intake reported by the adolescents was also estimated. For sodium, the prevalence of inadequate intake was estimated based on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) method used as cutoff was applied to estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake. All the analyses were stratified according to sex, age group and Brazilian macro-regions. All statistical analyses accounted for the sample weight and the complex sampling design.RESULTS Rice, beans and other legume, juice and fruit drinks, breads and meat were the most consumed foods among the adolescents. The average energy intake ranged from 2,036 kcal (girls aged from 12 to 13 years) to 2,582 kcal (boy aged from14 to 17 years). Saturated fat and free sugar intake were above the maximum limit recommended (< 10.0%). Vitamins A and E, and calcium were the micronutrients with the highest prevalence of inadequate intake (> 50.0%). Sodium intake was above the UL for more than 80.0% of the adolescents.CONCLUSIONS The diets of Brazilian adolescents were characterized by the intake of traditional Brazilian food, such as rice and beans, as well as by high intake of sugar through sweetened beverages and processed foods. This food pattern was associated with an excessive intake of sodium, saturated fatty acids and free sugar.

Low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Irish preschoolers despite northerly latitude and high prevalence of inadequate intakes

Low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Irish preschoolers despite northerly latitude and high prevalence of inadequate intakes

Low Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Irish Toddlers Despite Northerly Latitude and High Prevalence of Inadequate Intakes

While reports of inadequate vitamin D intakes, among children are widespread, data on the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and deficiency, are inconsistent. We implemented an assessment of vitamin D intakes using a weighed food diary of two non‐consecutive days and measured serum 25(OH)D concentrations in two‐year old children participating in the Cork Baseline birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected in 742 children and analysed for serum 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2 and 3‐epi‐25(OH)D3 using UPLC‐MS/MS. Food diaries were collected in 468 children. Mean total serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 63.4 nmol/L [54.6 in winter and 71.2 nmol/L in summer]. During the winter, 27.6% had a 25(OH)D &lt; 40nmol/L, which decreased to 2.3% in summer. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (&lt;30 nmol/L) was 4.6%. The C‐3 epimer and 25(OH)D2 were present in all samples. With an overall mean daily intake (MDI) of 3.6 μg/d, 96% of the sample had inadequate intakes &lt; 10 μg/d, 78% were &lt; 5 μg/d and 13% were &lt; 1 μg/d. Children who did not obtain vitamin D from fortified foods or supplements had intakes of 1.2 μg/d. The highest intakes were recorded in children who consumed infant formula targeted at toddlers, fortified with 1.5‐1.7 μg/100ml (7.2 μg/d) and consumers of D‐containing supplements (8.1 μg/d). We show a low prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Irish 2‐year olds despite high latitude (51o N) and self‐reported adherence to sun‐safe recommendations.

The Importance of Using Food and Nutrient Intake Data to Identify Appropriate Vehicles and Estimate Potential Benefits of Food Fortification in Uganda

Concern over micronutrient inadequacies in Uganda has prompted the introduction of mass fortification. To use food intake to determine nutrient inadequacies in children aged 24 to 59 months and nonpregnant women of reproductive age, and to model the adequacy of mass fortification. Data were collected by the 24-hour recall method in three regions. Usual nutrient intakes were calculated by adjusting actual intake distribution for the intraindividual variance. The impact of fortification on intake adequacy was simulated. The nutrients with the highest prevalence of inadequate intake across regions were vitamin A (30% to 99%), vitamin B12 (32% to 100%), iron (55% to 89%), zinc (18% to 82%), and calcium (84% to 100%). According to simulations, fortification of vegetable oil and sugar with vitamin A would reduce the prevalence of vitamin A inadequacy in the Western and Northern regions; in Kampala it would eliminate vitamin A inadequacy but would cause 2% to 48% of children to exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The proposed fortification of wheat flour would reduce the prevalence of inadequate intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, folate, and niacin in Kampala, but would have little impact in the other two regions due to low flour consumption. Micronutrient fortification of vegetable oil and sugar in all regions and of wheat flour in Kampala would reduce the prevalence of micronutrient inadequacies. However, the wheat flour formulation should be modified to better meet requirements, and the vitamin A content in sugar should be reduced to minimize the risk of high intakes. Maize flour may be suitable for targeted fortification, but prior consolidation of the industry would be required for maize flour to become a good vehicle for mass fortification.

Ingestão inadequada de nutrientes na população de idosos do Brasil: Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação 2008-2009

To estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake in the Brazilian elderly.This study was based on data from the National Dietary Survey, part of the Household Budget Survey 2008-2009. All individuals aged 60 and over, totaling 4,322 individuals, were included. Individual food intake was obtained from food records from two non-consecutive days. The habitual intake for each nutrient was estimated by the National Cancer Institute method, in which sex and region were included as covariates. The prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was estimated stratified by sex and region using the EAR method to define cut-off points.A high prevalence of inadequate intake (> 50%) of vitamins E, D and A, calcium, magnesium and pyridoxine was observed for both sexes. In all regions, 100% inadequate vitamin E intake was observed. Vitamin D showed almost 100% inadequate intake except in the North region. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin A intake was higher than 70% in the North, Northeast, and Midwest regions. Among the minerals evaluated, calcium and magnesium showed the highest prevalence of inadequate intake (> 80%) in all regions.The present study found a high prevalence of inadequate intake of nutrients recognized as being protective against chronic diseases among the Brazilian elderly.

Vitamin A deficiency in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with oxidative stress and vitamin A possesses antioxidant activity. The objective of the present study was to investigate vitamin A nutritional status in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to biochemical, functional and dietetic indicators correlating these findings with liver function, liver damage and death. Vitamin A nutritional status was analysed by serum retinol levels, dietetic indicators and functional indicators. A total of 140 patients with HCV-related liver disease were enrolled. Vitamin A deficiency was detected in 54·3 % of all patients, and there was a progressive drop in serum retinol levels from chronic hepatitis C patients towards cirrhosis and HCC patients. Increased total bilirubin, liver transaminases and prothrombin time, presence of hepatic encephalopathy and ascites were related to reduced serum retinol levels, and values ≤ 0·78 μmol/l of serum retinol were associated with liver-related death. A high prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin A was observed in all stages of chronic liver disease. The functional indicator was not an adequate parameter for evaluating the vitamin A nutritional status. Therefore, serum retinol concentration is related to severity of the disease, liver complications and mortality. The effectiveness of nutritional counselling and measures of intervention in this group in improving vitamin A nutritional status should be examined further in a controlled study.

Socio-economic variables influence the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake in Brazilian adolescents: results from a population-based survey

To estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among adolescents and the association between socio-economic variables and nutritional status. Cross-sectional study with a population-based sample. The usual nutrient intake distribution was estimated using the Iowa State University method. The Estimated Average Requirement cut-off point method was used to determine the proportion of adolescents with inadequate intake for each nutrient, according to sex, income, parental educational level and nutritional status. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were applied in 525 male and female Brazilian adolescents aged 14-18 years. The highest prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was observed for vitamin E (99 % in both sexes). For male and female adolescents, the prevalence of inadequate intake was: Mg, 89 % and 84 %; vitamin A, 78 % and 71 %; vitamin C, 79 % and 53 %; and vitamin B6, 21 % and 33 %, respectively. The prevalence of inadequate intake for niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, Se, Cu and vitamin B12 was <15 %. Individuals in the lower income and lower parental educational level strata had the highest risk of having inadequate intake for P, riboflavin and vitamins A, B6 and B12. Compared with non-overweight individuals, overweight individuals had a higher risk of inadequate intake for Mg, vitamin A, P, thiamin and riboflavin. The present study found a high prevalence of inadequate intake of nutrients that are recognised as being protective against chronic diseases. Adolescents in the lower income and lower parental educational level strata were less likely to have their nutrient intake requirements met.