Determining levels of mineral consumption from foodstuff sources in the daily diets of adolescent students living in Kamień Pomorski. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, changes to adolescent life style and nutrition are becoming increasingly apparent. One of the ways in which this can be observed, is in an unbalanced daily intake of dietary minerals, where some intakes are in excess whilst others are deficient. Normal growth and development can thereby become adversely affected.

OBJECTIVE

To determine daily dietary intake levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper together from their various foodstuff sources in the daily diet of a defined group of adolescents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Subjects were adolescents aged 16-19 years attending the technical college at the Polish town of Kamień Pomorski; being under the jurisdiction of the Western Pomeranian Province (voivodship). The study tool was a survey of food that had been consumed within the last 24 hours, from which the amounts of mineral elements in any given menu, so chosen, could thus be estimated.

RESULTS

Average daily potassium intakes were found to be generally low; less than 2350 mg and 1800 mg respectively for girls and boys compared to recommended values. This was coupled with high sodium intakes, where respectively, girls and boys exceeded recommended values by 2.1 and 2.8 times. Excess intakes of phosphorus, iron and copper were also observed in boys; respectively 500 mg, 4 mg and 2 mg. Some subjects showed insufficient intakes of calcium and magnesium i.e. 63%-80% below EAR (Estimated Average Requirements). The main source of calcium was found to be ripe cheeses, milk and fermented beverages. In both groups the main dietary sources of magnesium, sodium, iron and copper were bread. Girls diets showed that phosphorus and zinc mostly came from eating ripe cheeses and poultry, whereas potatoes were the main source of potassium. The boy's daily dietary intakes demonstrated that phosphorus and zinc originated from eating bread and potatoes. Significantly lower amounts of phosphorus, sodium, iron and zinc were however consumed by girls compared to boys.

CONCLUSIONS

The mineral content of the subjects' daily diet was found to be substantially unbalanced.