A balanced diet is fundamental for healthy growth and development of children. The aim of this study was to document and evaluate the dietary intake of Cypriot children aged 6-18 years (y) against recommendations, and to determine whether maternal education and children’s weight status are associated with adherence to recommendations.
Methods:
The dietary intake of a random sample of 1414 Cypriot children was assessed using a 3-day food diary.
Adherence to recommendations was estimated and the association of their mother’s education and their own weight status on adherence were explored.
Results:
A large percentage of children consumed less than the minimum of 45%en of carbohydrate (18.4%-66.5% in different age groups) and exceeded the recommended intakes of total fat (42.4%-83.8%), saturated fatty acids (90.4%-97.1%) and protein (65.2%-82.7%), while almost all (94.7%-100%) failed to meet the recommended fibre intake. Additionally, a large proportion of children (27.0%-59.0%) consumed 300 mg/day cholesterol and exceeded the upper limit of sodium (47.5%-78.5%).
In children aged 9.0-13.9y, there was a high prevalence of inadequacy for magnesium (85.0%-89.9%), in girls aged 14.0-18.9y, of Vitamin A (25.3%),Vitamin B6 (21.0%) and iron (25.3%) and in boys of the same group, of Vitamin A (35.8%). Children whose mother was more educated were more likely to consume 15%en from protein, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.85 (95% CI:1.13-3.03) for mothers with tertiary education and exceed the consumption of 300 mg/day cholesterol (OR 2.13 (95% CI:1.29-3.50) and OR 1.84 (95% CI:1.09-3.09) for mothers with secondary and tertiary education respectively).
Children whose mothers were more educated, were less likely to have Vitamin B1 (p15%en protein (OR 1.85 (95% CI:1.26-2.71) and have a
Conclusion:
Cypriot children consume a low quality diet.
Maternal education and children’s’own weight status are associated with children’s adherence to recommendations. Public health policies need to be evaluated to improve dietary quality and reduce disease burden.
Author: Michael J TornaritisElena PhilippouCharalambos HadjigeorgiouYiannis A KouridesAdamos PanayiSavvas C Savva
Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2014, 14:13
Published on: 2014-01-09
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