Quantification of nutrient intakes in 113 school children from the Valencia community: Results from 452 dietary survey

Abstract

An analysis of nutrient intakes was carried out in 113 first grade school children from Autonomous Community in Valencia. The following methodology was used: Total food intake was recorded for four days and distributed according to standard techniques of data collection by a 24 hour interview and 3 prospective surveys. A total of 452 were conducted. The average daily intake of calories, proteins, fats, corbohydrates, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D, B12, and folic acid was obtained this way. This data was compared to requirements according to the age and sex of every child, obtaining an index for the comparison of the obtained data.

Our results were the following: The alimentary habits of our children showed an intake of calories and fats less than recommended, while the proteins and carbohydrates were 2-3 times higher. Regarding the intake of calcium, iron, folic accid and vitamin D the results were lower than recommended. The vitamin B12 was ingested twice as much as the require, while vitamins A and C were adequate.