Zahra Heidari1, Awat Feizi1,2, Leila Azadbakht3,4,5, Noushin Mohammadifard6, Maryam Maghroun7, Nizal Sarrafzadegan6. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 2. Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 3. Food Security Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 4. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5. Diabetes Research Centre, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 7. Hypertension Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
AIM: The present study aimed to assess the usual distribution of energy and macronutrient intake among a large representative sample of Iranian healthy middle-aged and elderly people. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a second follow-up survey of the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) was carried out; 1922 people aged 40 years and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24-hour recall and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of energy and macronutrient intake was estimated using traditional and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods. RESULTS: The mean usual intake of energy was 1749.2 kcal based on the NCI method. Carbohydrate constituted 59.98% and protein 17.42% of total energy intake. The mean contributions of total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) to energy intake were 25.74%, 9.5%, 4.92 and 7.75%, respectively. Approximately 7% of studied females aged 51-70 years met the recommended or higher levels for fibre. Females had significantly higher compliance of the recommended cholesterol level than males (age range of 40-70 years; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that Iranian middle-aged and elderly people are advancing towards a high risk of obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases. Nutritional interventions for improving the diet amongst this at-risk population are necessary.
AIM: The present study aimed to assess the usual distribution of energy and macronutrient intake among a large representative sample of Iranian healthy middle-aged and elderly people. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a second follow-up survey of the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) was carried out; 1922 people aged 40 years and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24-hour recall and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of energy and macronutrient intake was estimated using traditional and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods. RESULTS: The mean usual intake of energy was 1749.2 kcal based on the NCI method. Carbohydrate constituted 59.98% and protein 17.42% of total energy intake. The mean contributions of total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) to energy intake were 25.74%, 9.5%, 4.92 and 7.75%, respectively. Approximately 7% of studied females aged 51-70 years met the recommended or higher levels for fibre. Females had significantly higher compliance of the recommended cholesterol level than males (age range of 40-70 years; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that Iranian middle-aged and elderly people are advancing towards a high risk of obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases. Nutritional interventions for improving the diet amongst this at-risk population are necessary.