Micronutrient intakes and their food sources among Greek children and adolescents

Abstract

AbstractObjective:To assess the usual dietary intake of twenty micronutrients and to identify their food sources in a representative sample of Greek children and adolescents.Design:Cross-sectional data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). Vitamin and mineral intakes were estimated from two 24 h dietary recalls by sex and age groups. Estimates were calculated using the National Research Council method and the statistical software package Stata13 to account for within- and between-person variations. The prevalence of nutrients’ inadequacy among sample was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method. The contribution of food groups to nutrient intake was estimated to identify micronutrients food sources.Setting:Greece.Participants:Children and adolescents aged 1–19 years (n 577) who provided sufficient and plausible 24-h recalls.Results:A substantial percentage of children and adolescents had insufficient intakes of numerous micronutrients. Usual intake of vitamins D, K and potassium was inadequate in practically all individuals. Vitamin A, folate, Ca and Mg were also insufficient to a considerable percentage, especially in girls aged 14–18 years. Pantothenic acid was highlighted as nutrient of interest since only one out of ten boys 9–13 years and girls 14–19 years had intake above the EAR. Data demonstrated that food groups highly ranked in energy contribution were not necessarily important sources of micronutrients.Conclusions:Results suggest that micronutrient density of Greek children and adolescents’ diet should be improved. These findings might be used by public health policy-makers to help young people optimise their food choices in Greece.