[Calcium and vitamin D intakes in a representative sample of Spanish women; particular problem in menopause].

BACKGROUND

The accelerated bone demineralization that occurs during the menopause is very conditioned by the intake of calcium and vitamin D, therefore, the aim of the study is examine the adequacy of the diet regarding these nutrients in a menopausal women group.

METHODS

A representative sample of the Spanish woman population with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years (n = 547), selected from 10 provinces was studied. The group of 108 menopausal women (45-60 years) is given priority attention. The dietary study was performed using a 3-day diet record. Weight and height were measured and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

RESULTS

Calcium intake (992.1 ± 340.7 mg/day) was lower than the recommended intakes (RI) in 79.6% of the menopausal women (MW) (lower than 67% of the RI in the 30.6%). Vitamin D intake (3.08 ± 3.6 μg/day) was even more unfavorable, since the contribution was 61.1% of the RI in MW, an 85.2% of them do not meet the RI and a 75.9% do not meet the 67% of the RI. A 72.6% of the studied women (68.5% of MW) do not meet the RI for calcium neither for vitamin D, while only the 4.0% of them meet the RI for both nutrients (3.7 of MW). Using a logistic regression analysis to examine the dietary modification that may be favorable to meet the RI for calcium and vitamin D simultaneously, having into account the influence of age and BMI, it is observed that the main factor is the consumption of dairy products [OR = 0.188 (0.108-0.327; p < 0.001)] and the same influence is observed when only menopausal women are analyzed [OR= 0.252 (0.067-0.946; p < 0.05)]. It is observed a decreased of BMI when the density of diet in calcium (r = -0.10) and in the vitamin D (r = -0.099) is increased, which suggested a possible role of these nutrients in weight control.

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of the studied women have intakes of calcium and vitamin D lower than the recommended intakes and given that only a 3.7% of the menopausal women have adequate intakes for both nutrients, it is necessary to adopt urgent measures aimed to protect the bone health of the Spanish female population.