Nutrient Intakes among Brazilian Children Need Improvement and Show Differences by Region and Socioeconomic Level

Andrea S. Anater, Joel C. Hampton, Tássia Do Vale Cardoso Lopes, Eliana B. Giuntini, Vanessa C. Campos, Lisa J. Harnack, Julia M.Lorenzana Peasley, Alison L. Eldridge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Brazil is the most populous country in South America. Using 24 h dietary data, we compared the nutrient intakes of 4–13-year-olds to reference values and tested for regional and socioeconomic (SES) differences. A considerable proportion reported intakes below the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) for vitamins E (78.1%, 96.5%), D (100% for both), and calcium (80.5%, 97.7%) for 4–8 and 9–13-year-olds, respectively. Few exceeded Adequate Intakes (AI) for potassium or fiber. Older children reported greater inadequacies and, while there was regional variability, patterns of inadequacy and excess tended to be similar. For vitamin C, the percent of children below EAR in the Northeast and Southeast was lower than in the South. Most children, regardless of SES, had energy intakes within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) for carbohydrates and protein. Over a quarter reported total energy from fat less than the AMDR, and inversely associated with SES (low 50.9%, moderate 26.0%, and high 15.0%), but also exceeding the percentage of energy recommendation for saturated fat, increasing with SES (low 18.1%, moderate 38.9%, and high 48.8%). The contrast observed between the diets of young Brazilians and recommendations underscores the need for individual and regional environmental interventions to promote healthier dietary patterns.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number485
JournalNutrients
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding: This research was funded by Société des Produits Nestlé, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • Children
  • Dietary intake
  • Nutrient intake
  • Nutritional epidemiology

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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