Vitamin and mineral intake of twelve adolescent male Kalenjin runners in western Kenya.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the diet of adolescent male Kalenjin runners in a boarding school setting was adequate compared to FAO/WHO recommendations.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design study.

SETTING

Marakwet High School in western Kenya.

SUBJECTS

A study of twelve adolescent male Kalenjin runners was carried out to determine their micronutrient intake.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Over a two-week period, samples of the main eaten food were collected for analysis of micronutrient distribution and a daily 24 recall interview performed to determine additional food intake.

RESULTS

The estimated intakes were compared to recommended or suggested adequate daily intake (RSDI) by FAO/WHO. For vitamin A, pyridoxine, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin E, the intakes represented only 17%, 82%, 56%, 55%, 95%, and 65% of RSDI, respectively. In contrast, the intakes of thiamine. riboflavin, and niacin all met RSDI by 208%, 107%, and 131%, respectively. Similarly, the intakes of magnesium, iron, and zinc were 272%, 404%, and 122% of RSDI, respectively, while calcium and selenium were below, 47% and 49%, respectively. The daily intakes of phosphorous, copper, and chromium were estimated to 4214 mg, 1309 microg, and 79 microg, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Total daily micronutrient intake of the twelve Kalenjin runners was far from adequate compared to FAO/WHO daily recommended and suggested adequate intake.