Breakfast and the diets of Australian adults: an analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian adults by the breakfast meal and to compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey included 24-h recalls, physical measurements and a food habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995-March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 10,851 Australians aged 19 years and older. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of the daily total contributed by breakfast were calculated. Differences between regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers in terms of nutrient intake, body mass index and health status were compared using Student t-tests. The findings show the typical Australian breakfast was low in fat, high in carbohydrate and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium and magnesium. In the NNS regular breakfast eaters had more adequate diets overall, particularly those aged 65+ years. People who did not eat breakfast cereal were much more likely to have inadequate nutrient intakes, especially of thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium and iron. Regular breakfast eaters were more likely to rate their health as excellent or good than those who skip breakfast, but there was no difference between the fat intake or the body mass index of regular breakfast eaters compared with breakfast skippers. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with better diets for adults overall.     

Breakfast and the diets of Australian children and adolescents: an analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian children and adolescents by the breakfast meal and compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters (those who ate breakfast 5 days or more a week) and skippers (who are breakfast rarely or never). The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey. The survey included 24-h recalls, physical measurements and a food-habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995-March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 3,007 Australians aged between 2 and 18 years. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of the daily total contributed by breakfast were calculated. Differences between regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers in terms of nutrient intake, body mass index and health status were compared using student t-tests. The findings show the typical breakfast consumed by young Australians was low in fat, high in carbohydrate and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium and magnesium. Those who did not eat breakfast cereal were much more likely to have inadequate nutrient intakes, especially of thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium and iron. There was no difference between the fat intake and the body mass index of regular breakfast eaters compared with breakfast skippers. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with better diets for children and adolescents.     

中国中小学生早餐营养素摄入量

目的：了解中国中小学生早餐营养素摄入量。方法：早用1992年全国营养调查中的住户调查及连续3d24h回顾法膳食调查资料，对中国17719名中小学生早餐能量和营养素摄入量进行分析。结果：中国中小学生早餐蛋白质、钙、锌、硒、视黄醇当量、硫胺素、核黄素等营养素摄入量均未达到RDA的25％，其中钙、视黄醇当量和核黄素等摄入量严重不足，仅为RDA的10％左右，中小学生早餐来自蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物的能量比例不当。比较来看，小学生早餐蛋白质、脂肪、钙、铁、锌、硒、硫胺素、核黄素和烟酸等摄入量占RDA百分比明显高于中学生。男生早餐蛋白质、铁、锌、硒、视黄醇当量和烟酸等摄入量占RDA百分比稍高于女生。乡村学生早餐能量、蛋白质、碳水化合物、钙、铁、锌、视黄醇当量、硫胺素、烟酸及抗坏血酸等摄入量占RDA百分比高于城市学生，脂肪、硒和核黄素摄入量低于城市学生。结论：乡村中小学生早餐平均能量和营养素摄入量好于城市中小学生，但城乡中小学生早餐营养素摄入状况均有待改善。     

The contribution of breakfast to micronutrient adequacy of the Irish diet

A 7-day diet history was completed by 1213 subjects in Ireland between the ages of 8 and 80 years. Subjects were divided into breakfast skippers, cereal eaters or non-cereal eaters.
Ninety-seven per cent of the population ate breakfast. Sixty-eight per cent were breakfast-cereal consumers and of these 62% ate breakfast six to seven times per week. The contribution which breakfast cereal makes to the total daily nutrient intake was calculated for males and females separately, and also for the two age-groups 8–18 years and >18 years. Iron intakes were lower than the RNI for all females but cereal consumers appeared more likely to achieve their RNI than breakfast skippers and non-cereal consumers. Breakfast-cereal consumers had significantly higher intakes of vitamins B, B₁₂, niacin, folate, B₁₂, vitamin D, calcium and iron. For females not consuming a breakfast cereal, mean nutrient intakes of folate and calcium were lower than the RNI. From this study, it appears that breakfast cereal consumption makes a significant contribution to nutrient intake in the Irish diet.     

The role of breakfast cereals in the diets of 16–17-year-old teenagers in Britain

Dietary data was collected from almost 5000 16–17-year-old teenagers throughout Britain using 4-day unweighed dietary diaries. The data was quantitatively coded and analysed to investigate the role of breakfast cereals in the diets of teenagers. The total daily nutrient intakes of consumers and non-consumers of breakfast cereals have been examined, by both frequency of cereal consumption and type of cereal consumed. Using generalized linear-modelling techniques, the relationships between nutrient intake, region, social class, frequency of breakfast cereal consumption and type of cereal consumed were investigated. Regular consumption of any type of breakfast cereal was associated with a significantly lower intake of fat when expressed as a percentage of energy intake, having allowed for regional or social-class differences. Non-consumers of breakfast cereals had significantly lower intakes of some micronutrients and a significant proportion of those who ate no breakfast cereal failed to achieve the reference nutrient intakes for riboflavin, vitamin B₆ and folates. The consumption of breakfast cereals appears to be associated with an increased intake of micronutrients amongst teenagers in Britain, and while these associations may be due to the cereals (and milks consumed with them), they may also be due to the effect that eating cereals has on subsequent feeding during the day. However, this may be important amongst those consuming diets lower in energy or high in foods of low-micronutrient density.     

早餐频次对我国中小学生能量和营养素摄入的影响

目的 了解早餐频次对中小学生能量和营养素的摄入。方法 利用1992年全国营养调查资料，分析17719名中小学生早餐频次对能量和营养素摄入的影响。结果 每天吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质，钙，铁，锌，硒，视黄醇，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比明显高于不吃早餐组，也高于每天平均不到1次的早餐组，随着吃早餐次数的增加，营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比增加，不吃早餐的中小学生，尤其是农村不吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质，钙，铁，锌，硒，视黄醇当量，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA不吃早餐的中小学生，尤其是农村不吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质、钙、铁、锌，硒，视黄醇当量，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比明显低于每天吃早餐组，结论 不吃早餐可以引起全天能量和营养素的摄入不足，每天吃早餐中小学生的能量和营养素摄入比较充足。     

The nutritional impact of dairy product consumption on dietary intakes of adults (1995-1996): the Bogalusa Heart Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the nutritional impact of dairy product consumption on the dietary intakes of adults. DESIGN: Dietary intakes of adults who participated in a cross-sectional survey (1995-1996) in Bogalusa, LA. SUBJECTS: Dietary intake data were collected on 1,266 adults (61% women, 39% men; 74% white, 26% African American) in Bogalusa, LA. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of covariance was used to examine the mean nutrient intake differences among four dairy consumption groups. Significance tests in multiple comparisons between any two groups were conducted using Tukey's procedure. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of adults consumed one serving or less of dairy products, 32% consumed two servings, 12% consumed three servings, and 8% consumed four or more servings. Overall mean intake of dairy was higher in whites (mean=1.63) compared with African Americans (mean=1.22) (P<.0001), especially the consumption of milk and cheese. No differences were found in overall mean intake of dairy servings by sex after adjusting for energy intake. However, women consumed significantly more servings of cheese (P<.0001) and yogurt (P<.01) than men. There were higher intakes of total energy, saturated fat, total protein, animal protein, and lactose (P<.0001), with greater number of servings of dairy products consumed. There were lower intakes of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<.0001), vegetable protein (P<.0001), total carbohydrates (P<.01), sucrose (P<.001), fructose (P<.0001), and fiber (P<.001). The percentage of energy from saturated fat (P<.0001) and protein (P<.001) increased with increasing number of dairy servings consumed. Intakes of calcium; magnesium; potassium; zinc; sodium; folate; thiamin; riboflavin; and vitamins B-6, B-12, A, D, and E were higher with greater number of dairy servings consumed. There was lower consumption of sweetened beverages (P<.001), specifically regular soft drinks (P<.0001), with greater consumption of milk products. CONCLUSIONS: Dairy product consumption by adults has a major influence on their vitamin and mineral intakes. The higher intakes of saturated fat, total energy, and animal protein and lower intake of fiber suggest that it may be useful to consume lower-fat dairy products and/or modify eating patterns to optimize the nutritional contributions of dairy products. Public health organizations and dietetics professionals need to educate adults on practical strategies for increasing dairy product consumption for improving the nutritional quality of adults' diets.     

Nutrient intake of low-income Southeast Asian pregnant women

Dietary nutrient intakes of 91 Cambodian, 37 Laotian, and 59 Vietnamese low-income pregnant women attending a university teaching hospital outpatient clinic in Southern California were measured. The nutrient intakes of the Southeast Asian groups were compared with one another as well as with the intakes of a group of 165 low-income non-Southeast Asian pregnant women of similar height, weight, and age from the same outpatient clinic population. Computerized analysis of the 24-hour recall data showed that there were few differences in nutrient intake between the Southeast Asian groups, except that the Cambodian group consumed significantly less fat, riboflavin, vitamin D, and calcium than the Vietnamese group. However, there were a number of differences between the nutrient intakes of the Southeast Asian groups and those of the non-Southeast Asian group. These included significantly lower intakes of fat, riboflavin, folate, vitamins D and E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium and significantly higher intakes of thiamin, niacin, sodium, and selenium. These findings suggest that low-income Southeast Asian pregnant women have some good dietary habits that dietitians need to reinforce and other dietary habits that need improvement.     

中国六城市日托幼儿园儿童的膳食营养状况

为了解学龄前儿童中潜在缺乏的营养素 ,于 1 998～ 1 999年在北京、上海、广州、成都、长沙和大连分别选择 1～ 2所中等水平的日托幼儿园 ,调查了儿童的膳食营养状况。选择 1 1 70名 3～ 6岁健康儿童 ,其中男 583名 ,女 587名 ,使用称重法连续记录三天在幼儿园内的食物消耗量 ,同时由其看护人提供园外膳食记录 ,使用我国食物成分表计算每个儿童的营养素摄入量。每个年龄组的平均能量、蛋白质、铁、视黄醇、维生素E、硫胺素、核黄素和烟酸的摄入量是适宜的。但是脂肪提供的能量占总能量的百分比超过了建议的高限值。儿童一日能量摄入量在每餐中的分配比例趋势是早餐低 ,晚餐和园外零食高。钙磷比值严重倒置 ,平均值为 0 63 ,钙的摄入量仅达到推荐摄入量的 61 6 % ,而儿童的食盐摄入量较高 ,与适宜摄入量相差较大。锌的平均摄入量达到推荐摄入量的 62 9%。各年龄组维生素C摄入量均低于其推荐摄入量。结果提示 ,在我国城市儿童的膳食中 ,长期某些微量营养素的供给不足或偏食可能与城市日托儿童的生长发育状况与国际标准或发达国家仍有较大差距有关     

Appalachian adolescents' eating patterns and nutrient intakes

Meal and snack patterns of 114 male and 111 female adolescents in a southern Appalachian state were examined from 24-hour food records kept on a school day. Breakfast was skipped by 34% of the respondents, and 27% either skipped lunch or ate a snack-type lunch. The evening meal and snacks, each of which contributed about one-third of the daily energy intake, were eaten by 94% and 89%, respectively. Girls' mean intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and iron were low at all eating occasions throughout the day. Boys' mean intakes of iron were low at breakfast, lunch, and snacks; their vitamin A intakes were low at lunch and snacks. Adolescents who prepared their own breakfasts consumed less energy, protein, fat, and niacin at that meal than did adolescents who ate breakfasts prepared by their mothers. However, adolescent-prepared breakfasts were higher in nutrient density for calcium, riboflavin, and thiamin. Evening meals prepared by adolescents were similar in total nutrient content to meals prepared by their mothers but lower in nutrient density for iron and thiamin. Evening meals prepared by adolescents were more likely to include a sandwich and less likely to include a vegetable than were meals prepared by mothers.     

Dietary intake of Australian smokers and nonsmokers

Abstract: The 1983 National Dietary Survey of Adults and the 1983 Risk Factor Prevalence Survey No. 2, conducted on the same subjects, provided an opportunity to examine the nutrient intakes of smokers (1024 men and 785 women) and nonsmokers (1974 men and 2421 women). The nutrients analysed were energy (kJ); fat (g/day and contribution to energy); starch (contribution to energy); dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ); alcohol (g/1000 kJ); polyunsaturated/saturated fats ratio; cholesterol, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium (mg/1000 kJ); and vitamin A, thiamin and riboflavin ((μg/1000 kJ). For both men and women, nonsmokers have a significantly higher intake of starch, dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ), thiamin, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than smokers, who have a significantly higher intake of alcohol. Male smokers also have a higher intake of energy and cholesterol, but a lower intake of riboflavin, than nonsmokers. These differences in nutrient intakes suggest that non–smokers consume a more nutritious diet than smokers, in regard to having a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and milk and milk products. There is a highly statistically significant association between smoking status and hazardous intake of alcohol. Both men and women who smoke have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI), than nonsmokers or ex–smokers.     

中国成年居民营养素摄入状况的评价

目的使用ISU方法计算营养素的日常摄入量(UI),评估中国成年居民的营养素摄入状况。方法使用"2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查"数据,采用美国爱荷华州立大学(Iowa State Unirersity,ISU)方法计算43 672名成年居民的碳水化合物、蛋白质、钙、铁、锌、硒、镁、维生素B1和维生素B2的UI,并将UI与平均需要量(EAR)比较,评估这些营养素摄入不足的比例;将宏量营养素供能比的UI与可接受宏量营养素分布范围(AMDRs)或适宜摄入量(AI)比较,评估宏量营养素摄入是否合理。结果我国成年居民碳水化合物和蛋白质供能比UI均值均在推荐范围之内,脂肪供能比UI均值稍高于AI上限;碳水化合物供能比低于AI下限的比例约为40%,蛋白质供能比低于AMDRs下限的比例约为20%,脂肪供能比高于AI上限比例约为50%。我国成年居民钙、锌、硒、镁、维生素B1和维生素B2摄入不足比例均较高,其中钙摄入不足的比例超过95%,维生素B1和维生素B2摄入不足的比例均达到了80%以上。结论我国成年居民宏量营养素供能比例不合理,膳食钙、锌、硒、镁、维生素B1和维生素B2摄入不足状况较为严重。     

The role of breakfast in nutrient intake of 5- to 12-year-old children

From 7-day food diaries of a cross-sectional sample of American children (n = 657), breakfast consumption patterns were assessed and related to average daily nutrient intake patterns. Results indicated that few of the children skipped breakfast and that breakfast consumption made a significant contribution to the average child's daily nutrient intake. Further, children who had ready-to-eat cereals at breakfast three or more times during the 1-wk period were found to have consumed significantly less (p less than 0.001) fat and cholesterol and significantly more (p less than 0.001) fiber, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, iron, folacin, pyridoxine, and vitamins B12, A and D than those who had no ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast. Average total daily intakes of the same groups had fewer significant differences. Comparison of the average nutrient composition of the three types of consumed breakfasts revealed that the average breakfast containing presweetened or nonsweetened ready-to-eat cereal had a higher content of sixteen nutrients and a lower content of five nutrients than did the average breakfast including no ready-to-eat cereal.     

One-day and 3-day nutrient intakes by individuals--Nationwide Food Consumption Survey findings, Spring 1977

With the use of data from the Spring 1977 sample of the USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey 1977-78, 1- and 3-day nutrient intakes for 8,779 individuals in 22 sex-age groups in the 48 conterminous states were compared. For most nutrients studied, 3-day mean intakes and day 1 mean intakes showed little difference. Mean intakes for day 1 and for days 2 and 3 combined were not significantly different for most sex-age groups for most nutrients. The few statistically significant differences observed for energy, fat, and carbohydrate could have been the result of chance and therefore have little practical significance. Regression analysis indicated that day 1 intake was strongest as a predictor of intake on subsequent days for energy, carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; less strong for protein, fat, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C; and poorest for vitamin A.     

The influence of ready-to-eat cereal consumption at breakfast on nutrient intakes of individuals 62 years and older

From 7-day food diaries of a cross-sectional sample of American elderly individuals (n = 561), breakfast consumption patterns were assessed and related to average daily nutrient intake patterns. Results indicated that, in general, breakfast consumption made a significant contribution to the average elderly individual's daily nutrient intake and, in particular, breakfasts containing ready-to-eat cereal had a greater impact on nutrient intake levels than did breakfasts not containing ready-to-eat cereal. More specifically, elderly individuals who had ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast 4-7 times during the week surveyed consumed significantly less (P less than or equal to 0.05) fat and cholesterol and significantly more fiber, carbohydrate, total sugar, protein, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, and A, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc at the breakfast meal than those who had no ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast. Fewer statistically significant differences between the two groups were evidenced when vitamin/mineral supplement usage was included in the analysis. Average daily intake levels of frequent consumers of ready-to-eat cereal were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) greater than those of nonconsumers for all dietary components except protein, fat, cholesterol, vitamin E, and sodium when supplement usage was excluded from the calculations. When supplements were included, significant differences between the two groups decreased to nine dietary components. Comparison of the average nutrient composition of breakfasts containing ready-to-eat cereal and those not containing ready-to-eat cereal revealed those including ready-to-eat cereal contained significantly greater quantities of all nutrients assessed regardless of whether or not vitamin/mineral supplements were included in the calculations.     

Nutrient intake of Head Start children: home vs. school

OBJECTIVE: To determine mean intake of energy and protein, total fat, saturated fat, percent energy from total and saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, vitamins A, C, E, B-6 and B-12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, sodium and fiber of preschool Head Start children at school and away from school. DESIGN: Twenty-four-hour food intakes for 358 Head Start children were obtained by observing food intake at school and acquiring intake recalls from parents or guardians specifying food their children consumed for the balance of the day. After determining group estimates of energy and nutrient intake, mean intake was compared to standard nutrient recommendations for the entire 24-hour day, i.e., for the time the children were in school and for the remaining hours away from school ("home" intake). SUBJECTS: The 358 Head Start children attended school either half-day (2- to 3-hour AM and PM sessions) or all-day (5 to 6 hours). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Differences in nutrient intake among class times were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Differences with a p-value <0.05 (two-tailed) were considered to be statistically significant. Total energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin as well as folate and magnesium were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the 4- to 6-year-old age group. Other standards that were used for comparisons included the National Cholesterol Education Program (fat, saturated fat and cholesterol), the 1989 National Research Council's Diet and Health Report (carbohydrate and sodium) and the recommendation for fiber proposed by the American Health Foundation. RESULTS: At school, half-day children consumed up to 25% of the daily recommendation for energy and nutrients, while all-day children achieved at least a third of the recommended intakes. When intakes at home and school were combined, all three groups of children (AM, PM and all-day) exceeded dietary recommendations for protein, vitamins and minerals. Energy intake remained below 100% of the recommendation, while intake of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol exceeded recommendations. APPLICATION: Further research is required to explore energy needs and determine nutritional status and nutrient needs of minority and low-income preschool children. Strategies are required to increase nutrient density, but not fat density, of meals and snacks served to children who attend day care for part of the day. Finally, school meals and nutrition education programs such as Team Nutrition should broaden their base to include healthful eating habits for all school children, including the very youngest children in preschool programs.     

Nutrient intakes and foods selected by college students: comparisons among subgroups divided by energy intake

Food consumption patterns of college students, divided into subgroups of men (no. = 58), women with mean energy intakes greater than 1,200 kcal (no. = 192), and women consuming less than 1,200 kcal (no. = 53), were studied using 3-day food records. Patterns of nutrient intakes, eating frequency, and types of food eaten differed among subgroups. Women with less than 1,200 kcal had lower intakes of protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin; they ate less frequently; and they ate less meat and eggs, legumes, bread, cooked starchy vegetables, milk products, desserts, added fat, and added sugar than did men and women whose mean energy intakes exceeded 1,200 kcal. There were differences between the latter two groups for 10 nutrients and for intakes of fluid milk, meat and eggs, legumes, bread, cooked starchy vegetables, alcoholic beverages, and noncarbonated, sweetened beverages. Diets of men met the RDAs for all nutrients calculated, and diets of women whose intakes exceeded 1,200 kcal met all RDAs except that for iron. Group mean intakes of women with less than 1,200 kcal did not meet the RDAs for calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. However, the subgroup with intakes less than 1,200 kcal consumed food of greater nutrient density than did other college students.     

The Relationship of Breakfast Skipping and Type of Breakfast Consumption with Nutrient Intake and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006

Background

National data comparing nutrient intakes and anthropometric measures in children/adolescents in the United States who skip breakfast or consume different types of breakfasts are limited.

Objective

To examine the relationship between breakfast skipping and type of breakfast consumed with nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy, and adiposity status.

Subjects

Children aged 9 to 13 years (n=4,320) and adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (n=5,339).

Design

Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.

Methods

Breakfast consumption was self-reported. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess nutrient intakes. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) for micronutrients and anthropometric indexes were evaluated. Covariate-adjusted sample-weighted means were compared using analysis of variance and Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons among breakfast skippers (breakfast skippers), ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal consumers, and other breakfast (other breakfast) consumers.

Results

Twenty percent of children and 31.5% of adolescents were breakfast skippers; 35.9% of children and 25.4% of adolescents consumed RTE cereal. In children/adolescents, RTE cereal consumers had lower intakes of total fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and several micronutrients (P<0.05 for all) than breakfast skippers and other breakfast consumers. RTE cereal consumers had the highest MAR for micronutrients, and MAR was the lowest for breakfast skippers (P<0.05). In children/adolescents, breakfast skippers had higher body mass index-for-age z scores (P<0.05) and a higher waist circumference (P<0.05) than RTE cereal and other breakfast consumers. Prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥95th percentile) was higher in breakfast skippers than RTE cereal consumers (P<0.05) in children/adolescents and was higher in other breakfast consumers than RTE cereal consumers only in adolescents (P<0.05).

Conclusions

RTE cereal consumers had more favorable nutrient intake profiles and adiposity indexes than breakfast skippers or other breakfast consumers in US children/adolescents.     

Food and nutrient intake of infants during the first 18 months of life

Food and nutrient intakes of normal infants, from 1 to 18 months, in Toronto and Montreal were determined in a longitudinal survey. The energy content of the diets, except for the first month, was less than the recommended daily intake (RDI). However, the infants were growing at normal rates, suggesting that the RDI is high. The mean intakes of most nutrients were consistently above RDI. Dietary iron was low from 12 months onwards, whereas, the intakes of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and sodium were high. Low iron intake was due mainly to low intake of iron-fortified infant cereals. Vitamin supplements, containing Vitamins A and C were largely unnecessary since food alone provided sufficient amounts to meet RDI. High sodium intake was related to consumption of salted table foods. Milk was the main source of energy, protein, fat and most other nutrients. Infant cereals, fortified with iron, calcium, phosphorous, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin were important sources of these nutrients. Fruit and fruit juices were the primary sources of Vitamin C and vegetables the main sources of Vitamin A. Meat provided much of the dietary protein in the later infancy. The results stressed the importance of infant diets comprising the four basic food groups.     

The nutrient and food intakes of 16–17 year old female dieters in the UK

A group of female teenage dieters was isolated from a larger national dietary survey of teenagers at 16–17 years of age. The dieting group included girls who both claimed to be dieting and who had energy intakes which were considered appropriate for weight loss, based on calculated reported energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate cut-off points. The nutrient intakes and food choices of dieters (n= 204) were compared with a similar sample of non-dieters (n= 226) from the same cohort group. The mean reported energy intake of the dieters was 1604 kcals/day compared to 2460 kcals/day amongst non-dieters. The intakes of all the macronutrients in g/day were considerably lower amongst dieters, allowing for differences in region and social class, but when expressed as a percentage of energy intake, dieters had significantly lower intakes of fat and higher intakes of protein and intrinsic sugars, milk sugars and starch. No differences were seen in the percentage of energy provided by non-milk extrinsic sugars between the two groups. The intake of all micronutrients was substantially lower amongst dieters, allowing for regional and social class differences, and more than twice as many dieters as non-dieters failed to achieve the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for retinol equivalents, thiamin, riboflavin, folates, vitamin B12, vitamin B₆, zinc, copper and selenium. Reported food intake data for the two groups suggest that dieters consumed smaller quantities of most foods, although intakes of items associated with dieting such as low calorie soft drinks, low fat spread, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, yoghurt, salad vegetables, fruit and fruit juice were consumed in equal or greater amounts by dieters. Teenage dieters should be encouraged to include more nutrient-dense foods in their diets such as fortified breakfast cereals and low fat dairy products in order to obtain sufficient micronutrients from a lower calorie intake.