FOOD PATTERNS, FLOUR FORTIFICATION, AND INTAKES OF CALCIUM AND VITAMIN-D - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF DANISH ADULTS

Study objective-Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D intakes are invo lved in the aetiology of osteoporosis, and health authorities recommen d that the population consume a diet providing sufficient calcium and vitamin D. However, in 1987 the Danish Government withdrew a mandatory fortification of flour with calcium. This study examines intakes of c alcium and vitamin D over time, in relation to food patterns, recommen dations, and legislation. Design-Food and nutrient intakes were measur ed by a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a thorough diet h istory interview, in 1987/88, and again six years later. Setting-Copen hagen County, Denmark. Participants-329 men and women, aged 35-65 year s at first examination in 1987/88. Results-At both examinations the no nenriched median intakes of calcium in men as well as women were above the recommended 600 mg/day. However, apparently the fortification of flour supplied up to 30% of the total calcium intake, and without the mandatory fortification, the percentage of adults with intakes below t his recommendation increased from 6% to 22%. This group of subjects co nsumed cheese, milk, and oatmeal less often than those who had calcium intakes over 600 mg/day During the study period the median intakes of vitamin D, which were well below the recommended 5 mu g/day, did not change significantly. Associations between foods and vitamin D intakes were, in general, weak and insignificant, except for a positive assoc iation with fish intake. Conclusions-Data on calcium intakes suggest t hat the decision to stop the mandatory fortification of flour with cal cium may have been premature. The short FFQ may be used for a rough cl assification of people in relation to their calcium intake, while this method seems insufficient for ranking vitamin D intakes.