Dietary Adequacy of Indian Children Residing in an Urban Slum – Analysis of Proximal and Distal Determinants

The influences of proximal and distal determinants of dietary adequacy of children from an urban slum in India were analyzed. Children numbering 271 (5–14 years) and their mothers were enrolled for the study. Intake of all nutrients except protein was inadequate in the dietaries of children. Among distal determinants, associations were found between (i) calorie intake and maternal nutritional status; (ii) protein, iron and B-complex intakes and economic status, and (iii) retinol, calcium and fat intakes and family size. Literacy status was not associated with dietary adequacy. Age of children and economic status of family were important determinants of dietary adequacy of children from slum area.     

Food intake and energy protein adequacy of children from an urban slum in mysore, India - a qualitative analysis

The objective of the investigation was to analyse energy protein adequacy of the diets of Indian children residing in an urban slum. The subjects numbering 271 between the ages of 4-14 years resided in a slum in Mysore city in South India. Nutritional status of children and mothers were determined by standard procedures. Background information was obtained using questionnaire method. Dietary intake data was collected using the 24-hour recall method and analysed for adequacy of food intake, energy protein ratio of diet, sources of protein in diet and associated factors. Results indicate that intake of cereals and pulses is inadequate in younger children but improves with age. Intake of other vegetables is higher than the recommended levels, but that of green leafy vegetables is extremely low. Consumption of fats, oils and milk is very low while protein is derived from plant sources for the majority of the children. Only 22% of children enjoyed a diet adequate in protein and calories. Protein calorie adequacy is influenced by age and gender of children and significantly by literacy or economic status of mothers. Mother's nutritional status influenced protein energy adequacy of diets significantly. Thus, intervention efforts should not only aim at improving the socio-economic conditions of slum dwellers in general, but should also address nutritional needs of mothers and children.     

Dietary inequalities of mother–child pairs in the rural Amazon: Evidence of maternal-child buffering?

This paper explores the expected outcome of maternal nutritional “buffering,” namely that children's diets will be more adequate than mothers' diets under conditions of food scarcity. Data on Amazonian mothers and their children, household demography and economics and direct, weighed measures of household food availability and dietary intakes of mother–child pairs were collected from 51 households to address the following research questions: (1) is there evidence of food scarcity in this setting?; (2) are there differences in energy and protein adequacy between children and their mothers?; and, (3) which individual and household-level factors are associated with these mother–child differences in energy and protein adequacy? In this context of food scarcity, we found that the majority of children had more adequate energy (p < 0.001) and protein (p < 0.001) intakes than their mothers. Multivariate OLS regression models showed that of the individual-level factors, child age and height-for-age were negatively associated with maternal-child energy and protein inequalities while maternal reproductive status (lactation) was positively associated with energy inequality. While there were no gender differences in dietary adequacy among children, boys had a larger advantage over their mothers in terms of protein adequacy than girls. Household food availability was related to maternal-child energy and protein inequalities in a curvilinear fashion with the lowest inequalities found in households with extremely low food availability and those with adequate food resources. This is the first study to quantify maternal-child dietary inequalities in a setting of food scarcity and demonstrates the importance of the household context and individual characteristics in understanding the degree to which mothers protect their children from resource scarcity.     

Adherence to Dietary Recommendations of 7-Year-Old Children from a Birth Cohort in Friuli Venezia Giulia,Italy

Few Italian and European studies have assessed adherence to dietary recommendations in primary school children using dietary records. No Italian studies have provided an index-based nutritional adequacy assessment. We provided a comprehensive overview of dietary intake in 381 7-year-old children from NAC-II cohort study, Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy). Energy, macro-, and micronutrient intakes were derived from 3-day dietary records. Standard (median and percentage) and index-based (Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR)) approaches were used to evaluate adequacy to Italian dietary reference values at nutrient- and overall-diet-level. Percentage contribution of macronutrients to energy intake (%En) was unbalanced towards total fats and protein. In 25% of children, total fats intake exceeded the reference intake upper limit. In ~63% of children, protein intake was at least doubled in their child-specific population reference intake. Median intakes of sodium (1.7 g/day), saturated fatty acids (12.2 %En), and soluble carbohydrates (19.4 %En) exceeded the suggested dietary target in most (65–84%) children. Inadequacy was also observed for micronutrients, with median NARs ranging from 0.11 (vitamin D) to 0.90 (zinc). The median MAR was 0.75 (0.69–0.79), with 1 indicating optimal overall dietary intake. In conclusion, the enrolled children showed suboptimal intakes of several macro- and micronutrients, in line with Italian and European studies on primary school children. Based on the current findings, public health interventions may be targeted to specific nutrients or subpopulations.     

Food insecurity is associated with nutrient inadequacies among Canadian adults and adolescents

Household food insecurity constrains food selection, but whether the dietary compromises associated with this problem heighten the risk of nutrient inadequacies is unclear. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between household food security status and adults' and children's dietary intakes and to estimate the prevalence of nutrient inadequacies among adults and children, differentiating by household food security status. We analyzed 24-h recall and household food security data for persons aged 1-70 y from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (cycle 2.2). The relationship between adults' and children's nutrient and food intakes and household food security status was assessed using regression analysis. Estimates of the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes by food security status and age/sex group were calculated using probability assessment methods. Poorer dietary intakes were observed among adolescents and adults in food-insecure households and many of the differences by food security status persisted after accounting for potential confounders in multivariate analyses. Higher estimated prevalences of nutrient inadequacy were apparent among adolescents and adults in food-insecure households, with the differences most marked for protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin B-12, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Among children, few differences in dietary intakes by household food security status were apparent and there was little indication of nutrient inadequacy. This study indicates that for adults and, to some degree, adolescents, food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrient intakes. These findings highlight the need for concerted public policy responses to ameliorate household food insecurity.     

农村留守儿童膳食多样化评价及其影响因素分析

  目的  评价学龄期留守儿童的膳食多样化得分及其影响因素,为指导留守儿童合理膳食提供参考依据。  方法  2019年8月对2009年在江苏射阳建立的儿童出生队列中501名9~10岁儿童进行调查,问卷询问儿童留守情况与其他基本信息,24 h膳食回顾法收集膳食资料。根据联合国粮食与农业组织(Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO)的标准计算膳食多样化得分(dietary diversity score, DDS₁₀和DDS)和食物多样性得分(food variety score, FVS);测量儿童的体格发育指标并评估肥胖情况,应用多变量回归分析留守情况与膳食多样化得分关系及影响因素。  结果  留守儿童的比例为40.9%,3种膳食多样化得分(DDS₁₀、DDS、FVS)分别为(5.69±1.31)(6.55±1.44)(13.48±4.23)分,均低于非留守儿童(5.99±1.29,6.79±1.40,14.15±4.22)分,留守儿童与非留守儿童的DDS₁₀评分差异有统计学意义(P=0.01)。广义线性模型回归结果显示,性别、被动吸烟、家庭教育水平、家庭年收入、留守情况与膳食多样化得分相关均有统计学意义(P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  留守儿童的膳食多样化程度较低,膳食多样化与儿童性别、被动吸烟、家庭教育水平和家庭年收入等有关。应注重留守儿童膳食多样化,改善儿童饮食。     

The overall nutritional quality of the diet is reflected in the growth of Nigerian children

Childhood malnutrition is widespread in the Sahel region of Africa. In Niger, the 1992 Population and Health Survey found that 32% of children under the age of five years had stunted growth and 16% had muscle wasting. Vitamin A deficiency and anemia are major health problems and it is thought that the rate of zinc deficiency is also high. However, very little is known about the dietary intakes of children. The aim of this study was to assess food consumption, energy and nutrient intake in weaned, preschool age children and to assess their risks of deficiency. Three surveys were conducted in periods of food shortage. Two of the surveys were carried out one year apart, in the rainy season (August to September). The third was conducted at the end of the subsequent dry season (July). Sixty children from rural areas (30 girls and 30 boys) aged 2 to 4 years of age at the start of the study (mean age 36.8 + 7.0 months) from the Ouallam district (western Niger) were studied in surveys 1 and 2, and thirty of these children were then studied in the third survey. Food intake was assessed using a modified weighed intake technique. All foods and beverages consumed by the child at each meal were recorded over three days. The raw ingredients of homemade family meals were weighed and the final cooked weight was also recorded. If the child ate from a shared bowl, the number of mouthfuls was counted and three mouthful samples were weighed. Total serving size was then calculated based on the number of mouthfuls and the mean mouthful weight. Snacks and meals eaten away from home were assessed by questioning the mother. Energy, protein, vitamin A, iron and zinc intakes were compared using the most relevant food composition data and the adequacy of the diet was determined from international recommendations for intake. Energy, iron and zinc requirements were adjusted for diets with a low level of digestibility. Protein requirements were adjusted according to the protein mix quality score (67%). The frequency of inadequate intake was calculated using the probability approach of Beaton (1985) or cutoff values roughly corresponding to the mean requirements for particular age/sex groups. Two overall diet scores were used: a nutritional quality score (NQS) and a diversity score (DS). The relationships between dietary intakes and scores, children's weights and heights were investigated. As expected, the children included in the study had monotonous diets, with few animal products, fats, fruits and vegetables other than green leaves (Figure 1). Cereals made up 80 to 90% of total energy, protein, iron and zinc intake. Green leaves supplied most of the vitamin A intake. Intakes were chronically inadequate, particularly during the rainy season, with only vitamin A intake being adequate (Table 1). Almost all the children were at high risk of zinc deficiency. Diet quality and diversity scores were correlated (Tables 2 and 3). About half the children had stunted growth (Table 4). Energy, protein and zinc intakes were highly and significantly correlated with the anthropometric status of the child one year later, particularly with height-for-weight Z scores, and with dietary NQS (Table 5). Both dietary scores were positively correlated with weight and height indices. However, only NQS was significantly associated with weight-for-height index, higher NQS scores being associated with higher growth indices. Diet quality also predicted the anthropometric status of the child one year later. Our findings suggest that both dietary scores are relevant but that the diversity of food eaten may be a better determinant of growth status if energy intake is close to meeting dietary requirements. Multiple dietary inadequacies are frequent among children from developing countries so scores of overall dietary quality may be more appropriate indicators than the intakes of specific nutrients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)     

The distribution of nutrient intake within families

1. During 1978 and 1979, the 343 members of seventy-nine families representative of households with two adults and two or three children living in Cambridge, England, completed 7-d records of food consumption using the semi-weighed technique. Nutrient intakes were calculated using food composition tables. 2. Amongst males, the average intakes of energy and most nutrients were highest in men and boys aged 11-17 years, and lowest in boys under 5 years. Amongst females, intakes were highest in girls aged 11-17 years, and lowest in those under 5 years. At each age, intakes in males were generally higher than those in females. 3. Nutrient distribution within families was described using the ratio, intake of each subject:intake of the male head of the household. The problems inherent in using this ratio are discussed. 4. The distribution of nutrient intakes within the families was not in accordance with the recommended daily amounts (RDA). Men and young boys received more than their fair share of the family diet, while women and girls aged 5-17 years received less. 5. Estimates of dietary adequacy based on the averages of family consumption and requirements (RDA) concealed up to twofold variations in the adequacy of diet of different age-sex-groups. 6. The interpretation of dietary adequacy in household food surveys should take into account the distribution of nutrient intakes within the household, as the distribution may be substantially different from that predicted by the RDA.     

Sources of food affect dietary adequacy of Inuit women of childbearing age in Arctic Canada

Dietary transition in the Arctic is associated with decreased quality of diet, which is of particular concern for women of childbearing age due to the potential impact of maternal nutrition status on the next generation. The study assessed dietary intake and adequacy among Inuit women of childbearing age living in three communities in Nunavut, Canada. A culturally-appropriate quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was administered to 106 Inuit women aged 19-44 years. Sources of key foods, energy and nutrient intakes were determined; dietary adequacy was determined by comparing nutrient intakes with recommendations. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was >70%, and many consumed inadequate dietary fibre, folate, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin A, D, E, and K. Non-nutrient-dense foods were primary sources of fat, carbohydrate and sugar intakes and contributed >30% of energy. Traditional foods accounted for 21% of energy and >50% of protein and iron intakes. Strategies to improve weight status and nutrient intake are needed among Inuit women in this important life stage.     

Inégalités nutritionnelles au sein des ménages: la pauvreté joue-t-elle un rôle?

This paper studies the impact of income on intrahousehold inequalities in nutrient intakes, the cohesion of household behaviour and the determinants of the nutrient adequacy of each member of the household. We use individual data from the households sample in INCA survey. The analysis of nutritional adequacy in three micronutrients shows significant differences according to income, in particular for iron and vitamin C. Moreover, the multivariate analysis shows the sensitivity of the nutritional status of women and children to income, mother’s socio-economic status and to the nutritional quality of other members′ intakes.     

Eating Habits of Young Children with Down Syndrome in The Netherlands: Adequate Nutrient Intakes but Delayed Introduction of Solid Food

Objectives To investigate nutritional status, pattern of being breast-fed, age at introduction of solid food, and adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes in children with Down syndrome in The Netherlands.Design Nutritional status was assessed by height and weight measurements. The dietary history method was used to collect information on the diet. Data obtained from children with Down syndrome were compared with data from control subjects and from the general population of Dutch children. Adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes was assessed by comparison to US recommendations.Subjects Forty-four Dutch children with Down syndrome (newborns to 4-year-olds) and 37 healthy control subjects without this syndrome.Statistical analyses The prevalence of breast-feeding of children with and without Down syndrome was compared using the χ² test. To compare ages at which solid food was introduced, the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier curves were used. Anthropometric data and mean dietary intake were compared between the groups using 2-way analysis of variance. Comparison to recommended levels of dietary intake was performed using 95% confidence intervals.Results Heights and weights of the children with Down syndrome were in the normal range. Down syndrome does not affect the prevalence of breast-feeding of children or the adequacy of their energy and nutrient intakes, but it does significantly delay the age at which solid food is introduced, which can be deleterious to oral-motor development.Application If late introduction of solid food is observed in children with Down syndrome, pre-speech therapy should be considered. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:790-794.     

Crohn's disease affects diet and growth in children

Background: Thirteen (eight girls, five boys) patients, aged 9.8–15.4 years, and 13 controls matched for age and sex were studied to identify foods that might aggravate the symptoms of children with Crohn's disease, to examine the adequacy of nutrient intake and to assess nutritional status.
Methods: The link between symptoms and food intake was determined by 48-h dietary recall on two separate occasions and by a dietary questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using growth charts and biochemical values.
Results: Patients with Crohn's disease identified several foods that aggravate symptoms. The intakes of bread, cereals and fat were greater in patients than in controls. The mean relative (% energy) intake of protein was lower, but the mean absolute intake of carbohydrates was higher in patients than in controls. The intakes of vitamin D, calcium, iron and zinc by the patients were below the respective recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). Nutritional status was good in the majority of the patients. However, the mean height-for-age was lower in the patients than in the controls, and 38% of the patients had serum albumin concentrations below the reference value.
Conclusions: Symptoms and foods that aggravate symptoms may restrict diet and thus decrease nutrient intake. The diet of children with Crohn's disease may contain insufficient amounts of nutrients. In some children, Crohn's disease markedly retards growth. These results substantiate the need for coordinated dietetic follow-up.     

Determinants of non-home-prepared food consumption in two low-income areas in Nairobi

OBJECTIVE: Street foods are an important source of nutrients for poor urban residents. This study aimed to identify determinants of the proportion of daily energy provided by non-home-prepared foods. METHODS: A survey was conducted in a slum and a low- to middle-income area of Nairobi. The survey included 241 men and 254 women. Through a structured questionnaire, data on demographic and socioeconomic factors were collected and food intake was assessed with three standardized 24-hour recalls. A measure of socioeconomic status was constructed with principal component analysis. RESULTS: For women in the slum area, the presence of school-age children and distance to work were determinants of non-home-prepared food consumption, whereas employment status and distance to work were determinants for men in the slum area (P < 0.05). Having their own income and, for those employed, employment status were determinants for women in the low- to middle-income area, whereas socioeconomic status was the determinant for the men (P < 0.05). In the slum area, most non-home-prepared foods were derived from street foods, whereas in the low- to middle-income area, both kiosks and street foods were important sources of non-home-prepared foods. CONCLUSIONS: In the determinants of non-home-prepared energy consumption, we discerned a pattern from rather basic determinants to determinants of a more complicated nature with increasing socioeconomic level of the groups. Furthermore, a shift from street foods to kiosks as the main source of non-home-prepared foods consumed appeared with increasing socioeconomic levels.     

肾病综合征儿童膳食营养状况评价

【目的】 评价肾病综合征(nephrotic syndrome ,NS)儿童的膳食营养状况,以制订营养治疗方案。【方法】 用膳食调查、体检和生化分析对89例NS患儿(3~6岁)营养状况进行评价。【结果】 部分NS患儿能量供给不足,蛋白质摄入量和来源均不合理,41%患儿脂类摄入过高或过低,碳水化物在小龄组摄入不足,维生素A、钙、铁、锌摄入均不足;血清总蛋白、白蛋白普遍偏低,总胆固醇和甘油三酯偏高。【结论】 NS患儿营养素摄入不合理,存在蛋白质营养不良及脂质代谢紊乱, 应尽早、全面的给予科学营养,有利于疾病的康复。     

Determination of vitamin B-6 estimated average requirement and recommended dietary allowance for children aged 7-12 years using vitamin B-6 intake,nutritional status and anthropometry

The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B-6 for children were recently estimated by extrapolating from adult values because of limited available information. To determine vitamin B-6 requirements and provide recommendations for intakes, vitamin B-6 intake, nutritional status and anthropometry of 168 healthy children (79 boys and 89 girls) were studied in Tainan, Taiwan. Direct and indirect vitamin B-6 status indicators were measured in plasma, erythrocytes and urine. Anthropometric data of children in this study were similar to those of the first Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) conducted in 1993-1996. The plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) concentration of each child was >/=30 nmol/L, indicating an adequate vitamin B-6 status. Daily dietary vitamin B-6 intakes of boys and girls were 0.80 +/- 0.16 and 0.74 +/- 0.16 mg/d, respectively. Daily dietary vitamin B-6 intakes of children who had adequate urinary 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) (>3.0 micro mol/L), erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity coefficient (EALT-AC) (<1.25) and aspartate aminotransferase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) (<1.8) were not different from those of children who had adequate plasma PLP, although the percentages of adequacy for urinary 4-PA, EALT-AC and EAST-AC ranged from 20 to 91%. Vitamin B-6 status indicators were strongly correlated with vitamin B-6 intake. Adequate values of PLP, EALT-AC, EAST-AC and urinary 4-PA were used to determine the EAR according to Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) committee methodology. We determined the vitamin B-6 EAR (RDA) for boys and girls aged 7-12 y to be 0.84 (1.01) and 0.75 (0.89) mg/d, respectively.     

The relationship between household income and dietary intakes of 1-10 year old urban Malaysian

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Diet plays an important role in growth and development of children. However, dietary intakes of children living in either rural or urban areas can be influenced by household income. This cross-sectional study examined energy, nutrient and food group intakes of 749 urban children (1-10 years old) by household income status.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Children''s dietary intakes were obtained using food recall and record for two days. Diet adequacy was assessed based on recommended intakes of energy and nutrients and food group servings.

RESULTS

For toddlers, all nutrients except dietary fiber (5.5 g) exceeded recommended intakes. Among older children (preschoolers and school children), calcium (548 mg, 435 mg) and dietary fiber (7.4 g, 9.4 g) did not meet recommendations while percentage of energy from total fat and saturated fats exceeded 30% and 10%, respectively. The mean sodium intakes of preschoolers (1,684 mg) and school children (2,000 mg) were relatively high. Toddlers in all income groups had similar energy and nutrient intakes and percentages meeting the recommended intakes. However, low income older children had lowest intakes of energy (P < 0.05) and most nutrients (P < 0.05) and highest proportions that did not meet recommended energy and nutrient intakes. For all food groups, except milk and dairy products, all age groups had mean intakes below the recommended servings. Compared to middle and high income groups, low income preschoolers had the lowest mean intake of fruits (0.07 serving), meat/poultry (0.78 serving) and milk/dairy products (1.14 serving) while low income toddlers and school children had the least mean intake of fruits (0.09 serving) and milk/dairy products (0.54 serving), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Low socioeconomic status, as indicated by low household income, could limit access to adequate diets, particularly for older children. Parents and caregivers may need dietary guidance to ensure adequate quantity and quality of home food supply and foster healthy eating habits in children.     

Increasing Egg Consumption at Breakfast Is Associated with Increased Usual Nutrient Intakes: A Modeling Analysis Using NHANES and the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program School Breakfast Guidelines

The objective of the current modeling analysis was three-fold: (1) to examine usual nutrient intakes in children when eggs are added into dietary patterns that typically do not contain eggs; (2) to examine usual nutrient intakes with the addition of eggs in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) school breakfast; and (3) to examine nutrient adequacy when eggs are included in routine breakfast patterns and with the addition of eggs to the CACFP school breakfast program. Dietary recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016 (children aged 1–18 years-old; n = 9254; CACFP n = 159) were used in the analysis. The usual intakes of pantothenic acid, riboflavin, selenium, and vitamin D increased ≥10 percent (relative to the baseline values) with the addition of one egg at breakfast. The usual intakes of protein and vitamin A at breakfast were also increased by more than 10 percent compared to the baseline values with the addition of two eggs. Similar outcomes were observed with the addition of eggs to the CACFP school breakfast. The percent of children above the adequate intake for total choline increased to 43.6 and 57.8% with one and two eggs, respectively, compared to 22.6% at the baseline. The addition of eggs at breakfast can contribute to nutrient intakes and overall dietary adequacy and play a role in public health initiatives aimed at increasing the intake of under-consumed nutrients and nutrients of concern.     

Nutritional Characteristics and Body Mass Index of Children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have been shown to have nutrient deficiencies, but data were estimated from a non–population-based sample. The current study is a cross-sectional assessment of 420 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands children, 6 months to 10 years old. Diet, height, and weight were measured. Dietary intake was collected with a 24-hour dietary recall and analyzed using the Pacific Tracker dietary assessment tool. Prevalence of dietary nutrient adequacy was estimated by the Estimated Average Requirement cut-point method. Fiber intake was one-third Adequate Intake (AI) and sodium intake was above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for all ages. Calcium intake was half the AI for 4 to 8 years old, and less than half the AI for 9 to 10 years old. Meat/meat alternatives were double the recommendation, while all other food groups were below the recommendation for all ages. Prevalence of dietary nutrient adequacy for vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus was lowest among 9- to 10-year-olds. Based on body mass index-for-age percentiles, 45% of 7- to 10-year-olds, 26% of 4- to 6-year-olds, and 25% of 2- to 3-year-olds were overweight or obese. Increasing whole grain, fruit, vegetable, and dairy intakes; reducing meat intakes and high-calorie foods and drinks; and increasing physical activity could improve nutrient intakes and body mass index status in this population.     

Dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children and their parents in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to assess and compare dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children and their parents. Fifty-six omnivores (28 children and 28 parents) and 42 vegetarians (21 preschool children with 18 lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 3 ovo-vegetarians; 21 parents with 16 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 2 ovo-vegetarians, 1 lacto-vegetarian, and 2 vegans) were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were taken; body mass index and weight-for-height index (WHI) were calculated. Nutrient intake was recorded using 3-day dietary records. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained to estimate hematologic and vitamin status parameters. Height, weight, body mass index, WHI, and triceps skinfold thickness value differences between omnivores and vegetarians in both parent and child groups were not found. Both omnivorous parents and their children had significantly higher fat and lower fiber intakes than vegetarian parents and children. Omnivorous children had significantly higher protein and lower vitamin C intakes than vegetarian children, whereas omnivorous parents had significantly lower vitamin A and iron intakes than vegetarian parents. Vegetarians and omnivores in both parent and child groups had mean calcium consumption less than 75% of the Taiwan dietary intakes. All mean hematologic and biochemical nutrient status indices were within the reference range in any groups. However, both vegetarian parents and children had significantly lower mean total cholesterol and serum ferritin concentrations than those of omnivorous parents and children. Our vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children had normal growth and adequate nutritional status. However, both parents and children had inadequate calcium intakes, which may potentially affect bone health, especially for preschool children in the growing stage.     

Assessment of Nutrient Adequacy with Supplement Use in a Sample of Healthy College Students

Objectives: Limited information is available on the nutritional status and the impact of supplements on nutrient adequacy in college students. This study aimed to assess nutritional status and evaluate the contribution of supplement use to overall nutrient adequacy in a sample of healthy college students.

Methods: Sixty subjects (40 women and 20 men) were randomly recruited from those attending the University of Connecticut. Food records were collected over 30 consecutive days for each subject. In addition, health and lifestyle information was collected at the beginning and end of the study period.

Results: After excluding misreporting, only 44 subjects were eligible for assessing nutritional status. More than 40% of female students had intakes below the estimated average requirements for vitamins D and E, calcium, and magnesium. Supplement users had significantly higher average intakes than nonusers from dietary sources for protein, folate, niacin, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc (p < 0.05). With the addition of supplements, supplement users consumed significantly more for all nutrient intakes except vitamin A than nonusers (p < 0.05). Nutritional adequacy of supplement users was significantly higher for vitamins D and E and magnesium compared with nonusers (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Overall, men and women were consuming intakes below adequacy for most nutrients, and supplement usage increased nutrient intake and adequacy levels in this young adult population.