ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY NUTRIENT INTAKES - ANALYZED VS CALCULATED VALUES

In this study we compared the nutrient composition of the diet of a nu rsing home calculated from food composition tables with that obtained from laboratory analysis of cooked mixed dishes. A total of 43 food sa mples were analysed. Analysed parameters comprised fat, fatty acids, c holesterol, alpha-tocopherol and eight minerals. We found that calcula ted values were a good estimation of energy, fat, polyunsaturated fatt y acids (PUFA), cholesterol, potassium and phosphorus intakes. In cont rast, other parameters showed differences between calculated and analy sed values, which ranged from 11% for magnesium intake to 56% for sodi um intake (p < 0.05). Values obtained from tables tended to underestim ate saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, calcium, magne sium and sodium intakes, and overestimate alpha-tocopherol and iron in takes. Potential sources of error in both methods were studied. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.