CALCIUM AND VITAMIN-D INTAKES OF WOMEN AND THEIR DAUGHTERS - DISTRIBUTION BY FOOD GROUPS AND MEALS

Calcium and vitamin D intakes were evaluated in 142 French Quebecker w omen (mean age = 53.4 y) end in 70 of their daughters over 18 (mean ag e = 26.6 y). The older group had participated 10 years ago in a study on bone density and its determinants in premenopause. For the present study, all participants completed five-day food records. Mean total ca lcium and vitamin D intakes, including supplements, met recommendation s for both the mothers (1053 mg and 5.8 mu g, respectively) end the da ughters (941 mg and 4.8 mu g, respectively). Milk and milk products we re the molar dietary contributors of calcium and vitamin D. Slightly m ore calcium was consumed at dinner, while breakfast provided more vita min D. Forty per cent of the older group and 10% of the younger subjec ts took calcium and/or vitamin D supplements; among daughters who were supplement users, 57% of their mothers also consumed supplements. We observed mother-daughter correlations for calcium intakes from milk pr oducts, fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts and for vitamin D intakes f rom milk products. There results suggest that the food habits of mothe rs approaching or in early menopause reflect on those of their young a dult daughters.