DIETARY NUTRIENT INTAKE AND MAJOR FOOD SOURCES: THE NUTRITION AND HEALTH SURVEY OF TAIWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN 2001-2002
Resource
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION v.16 pp.518-533
Journal
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL
Journal Volume
v.16
Journal Issue
NUTRITION
Pages
518-533
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
WU, SHIN-JIUAN
PAN, WEN-HAM
YEH, NAI-HUA
CHANG, HSING-YI
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate nutrient intake and
their dietary sources in Taiwanese children ages 6-12 years
by analyzing the 24-hour recall data of 2386 participants
from a nationally representative sample. Results showed that
children in Taiwan were slightly lower in mean proportion
of energy intake from carbohydrates (53.5% of energy intake)
and higher in those from fats (30.8%) and protein (15.8%)
as based on the recommendations of Department of Health in
Taiwan. The mean intake of vitamins and of minerals by
children was equivalent to or exceeded Daily Reference
Intake of Taiwan (DRI) or other recommended standards with
the exception of a seriously insufficient calcium intake and
extremely high sodium intake. A substantial proportion of
children in different age/gender/location strata had lower
mean vitamin and mineral intake by DRI and other recommended
standards. These nutrient profiles were mainly related to
dietary patterns with relatively low intake of fruits,
vegetables, cereals/grains, and dairy products, but high
intake of the protein-rich foods, salt/sauces, and fats/oils
. According to the suboptimal dietary nutrient profiles of
Taiwanese children, particularly in the underprivileged
areas, recommendations are made in this article for policy
makers and health practitioners to consider in order to
improve dietary quality of elementary school children.
Subjects
24-hour recall
elementary school children
food sources
nutrition and health survey
daily reference intakes
Type
journal article