Reference Daily Intake

About: Reference Daily Intake is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1564 publications have been published within this topic receiving 52794 citations.

Dietary intake and nutritional status of women and pre-school children in the Republic of the Maldives.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Malnutrition and poor nutritional status among children are common problems in the Republic of Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean. The aim of this study was to determine possible macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in the traditional Maldivian diet. DESIGN In five atolls, 333 women with children aged between 1 and 4 years who were no longer breast-fed were interviewed, using a 24-hour recall. Additionally, the weights and heights of both the women and children were measured, and blood samples from 15 women were collected for measurements of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, homocysteine, cholesterol and haemoglobin. RESULTS Of the women, 22% had a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5. Of the children, 41% were stunted, 14% were wasted and 51% were underweight. The women's and children's diets were sufficient in protein (14%) and carbohydrates (67%) but deficient in fat, which contributed only 19% to the total energy intake. Consumption of dietary substances that depend on vegetable and fruit intake (e.g. beta-carotene, vitamin C, dietary fibre and folic acid) was low. The low intake of beta-carotene was underlined by low plasma concentration. The estimated iron intake was low, although blood haemoglobin levels were normal. CONCLUSIONS Marginal nutritional status and marginal malnutrition are due to low fat intake and selected micronutrient deficiency. Higher intakes of locally available vegetables and fruits and fat (especially for children) on a regular basis might reverse the deficits documented on the atolls.

Salt as a public health challenge in continental European convenience and ready meals.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To assess the salt content of continental European convenience and ready meals. DESIGN A multistage study in which, after laboratory analysis of the products' salt contents (n 32), new salt-reduced meals were developed through food reformulation. Additionally, a comprehensive survey of convenience meals from the Austrian market (n 572) was conducted to evaluate the salt contents of a wider product range. SETTING Six continental European countries participated. SUBJECTS No subjects enrolled. RESULTS The salt contents of continental European convenience and ready meals mostly exceeded 1·8 g/100 g, which is 30 % of the targeted daily intake level; some contained even more than the recommended daily intake of 6 g. The highest salt contents were found in pizzas and pasta dishes, the lowest ones in sweet meals. Large variations in salt levels were found not only between and within meal type categories, but also between similar meals from different producers. In addition, our approach to develop new salt-reduced meals showed that a stepwise reduction of the ready meals' salt contents is possible without compromising the sensory quality. CONCLUSIONS To address the problem of hypertension and increased risk for CVD through high salt intake, a reduction of the salt levels in continental European convenience and ready meals is urgently needed, since they are providing a major part of the daily salt intake. Successful national-wide salt reduction strategies in the UK or Finland have already demonstrated the public health impact of this setting.

Low sodium and high potassium intake for cardiovascular prevention: evidence revisited with emphasis on challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract: Reduction in dietary salt intake and increase in potassium intake can make a major contribution to the prevention and control of hypertension and consequential cardiovascular disease, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where prevalence rates are highest. African populations are going through a westernization of their traditional eating patterns, with a shift towards a US/Western-style diet, which contains an excessive amount of salt. Currently, the mean sodium intake in SSA populations is far above the recommended daily allowance. Besides, potassium intake is low, and, particularly, the supply of fruits and vegetables that are important sources of potassium is insufficient to meet current and growing population needs in SSA countries. Context-relevant strategies are needed for population-wide sodium intake reduction and increase in potassium intake.

Status of dietary calcium intake of Chinese residents

Abstract: Objective To describe the calcium intake of different age and gender residents in different area in China. Methods 68962 study' participants were came from 23,470 households who were randomly selected from 132 counties in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and the municipalities in China. The 24-hour dietary recall method for 3 consecutive days was used to collect food intake information, except for the condiment intake, which was collected by weighting method. Results The average intakes of calcium were low in Chinese population. The average intake of calcium of male people were more higher than those of female people, while the intake level of urban residents were more higher than those of rural residents. The calcium intake of the most persons could reach 20%-60% of adequate intake (Al). Less than 5% person's calcium intake could reach AI. Only 1.1% to 1.7% adolescents aged 11 years to 13 years whose calcium intake level could reach AI. The main sources of calcium were vegetable, bean and bean product, wheat and rice, which provided 35.2%, 13.9%, 11.2% and 9.1% calcium respectively, only 4.3% calcium came from dairy products. Conclusion The deficiency of calcium is a common problem in Chinese residents. In particular, the adolescents are the most serious group.