NUTRITIONAL SURVEY IN GREEK CHILDREN - NUTRIENT INTAKE

The aim of the survey was to record the food habits and nutrient intak e of Creek children. Data was obtained by a 3 d household measured die t record from a random stratified sample (1936 children aged 2-14 y). Mean daily protein intake was much higher than PRI and none of the chi ldren had lower intake than AR. Mean energy intake from protein was 15 %, carbohydrate 44% and fat 41%. Eighty-four percent of children had e nergy intake from fat higher than the AR. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) provided approximately 15%, monounsaturated (MUFA) 17% and polyunsatur ated (PUFA) 6% of energy. Eighty-seven percent of children had higher intake of SFA than the AR. Six percent of children had SFA intake lowe r than the AR and 50% higher than the AR. None of the children had PUF A intake lower than PRI and 0.3% higher than the maximum limit. 4.2% o f children had calcium intake lower than LTI and 88% higher or equal t o PRI. All children had phosphorus intake higher than PRI and less tha n the lower safe ratio of Ca/P; 50% of them had P intake higher than 1 .5 g/d. The majority of children had sufficient iron intake with the e xception of menstruated girls. Mean vitamin A intake was higher than P RI and lower than the toxic levels. All children had vitamin C intake higher than LTI. Median vitamin D intake varied from 1.7-2.1 mu gr. Me dian energy intake was higher than the AR in preschool children, but l ower in the older children. We conclude that Creek children do not und erintake energy and protein, overintake SFA, have safe intake of PUFA, vitamin A and C and high intake of MUFA, underintake carbohydrates, h ave adequate Ca, but a considerably high P intake. Vitamin D is low in small children, but the biological available vitamin D is obviously h igher due to sunlight.