Katharina Diethelm1, Inge Huybrechts2, Luis Moreno3, Stefaan De Henauw2, Yannis Manios4, Laurent Beghin5, Marcela González-Gross6, Cinzia Le Donne7, Magdalena Cuenca-García8, Manuel J Castillo8, Kurt Widhalm9, Emma Patterson10, Mathilde Kersting1. 1. 1 Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Heinstueck 11, 44225 Dortmund, Germany. 2. 2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 3. 3 Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. 4. 5 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. 5. 6 Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Lille, Lille, France. 6. 8 ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences - INEF, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 7. 9 National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition, Rome, Italy. 8. 10 Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. 9. 11 Academic Institute for Clinical Nutrition, Vienna, Austria. 10. 12 Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: An adequate nutritional intake in childhood and adolescence is crucial for growth and the prevention of youth and adult obesity and nutrition-related morbidities. Improving nutrient intake in children and adolescents is of public health importance. The purpose of the present study was to describe and evaluate the nutrient intake in a European sample using the D-A-CH nutrient intake recommendations and the Nutritional Quality Index (NQI). DESIGN: The HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study is a cross-sectional study, the main objective of which is to obtain comparable data on a variety of nutritional and health-related parameters in adolescents aged 12·5-17·5 years. SETTING: Eight cities in Europe. SUBJECTS: The initial sample consisted of 3528 European adolescents. Among these, 1590 adolescents (54% female) had sufficient and plausible dietary data on energy and nutrient intakes from two 24 h recalls using the HELENA-DIAT software. RESULTS: The intakes of most macronutrients, vitamins and minerals were in line with the D-A-CH recommendations. While the intakes of SFA and salt were too high, the intake of PUFA was too low. Furthermore, the intakes of vitamin D, folate, iodine and F were less than about 55% of the recommendations. The median NQI was about 71 (of a maximum of 100). CONCLUSIONS: The intakes of most nutrients were adequate. However, further studies using suitable criteria to assess nutrient status are needed. Public health initiatives should educate children and adolescents regarding balanced food choices.
OBJECTIVE: An adequate nutritional intake in childhood and adolescence is crucial for growth and the prevention of youth and adult obesity and nutrition-related morbidities. Improving nutrient intake in children and adolescents is of public health importance. The purpose of the present study was to describe and evaluate the nutrient intake in a European sample using the D-A-CH nutrient intake recommendations and the Nutritional Quality Index (NQI). DESIGN: The HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study is a cross-sectional study, the main objective of which is to obtain comparable data on a variety of nutritional and health-related parameters in adolescents aged 12·5-17·5 years. SETTING: Eight cities in Europe. SUBJECTS: The initial sample consisted of 3528 European adolescents. Among these, 1590 adolescents (54% female) had sufficient and plausible dietary data on energy and nutrient intakes from two 24 h recalls using the HELENA-DIAT software. RESULTS: The intakes of most macronutrients, vitamins and minerals were in line with the D-A-CH recommendations. While the intakes of SFA and salt were too high, the intake of PUFA was too low. Furthermore, the intakes of vitamin D, folate, iodine and F were less than about 55% of the recommendations. The median NQI was about 71 (of a maximum of 100). CONCLUSIONS: The intakes of most nutrients were adequate. However, further studies using suitable criteria to assess nutrient status are needed. Public health initiatives should educate children and adolescents regarding balanced food choices.
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