Energy and nutrient consumption and risk of inadequate intakes in the Canary Islands (1997-98).

Objectives: To evaluate the consumption of energy and nutrients and to iden tify The risk of inadequate intakes in the Canary Island population (1997-9 8). Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Methods: A dietary surve y was conducted in a representative sample of the Canary island population (n=1747; 821 men and 926 women) aged 6 to 75 years. Two 24-hour recalls wer e utilised as the dietary survey instrument, carried out over non-consecuti ve days. Spanish Food Composition Tables were used and data was adjusted fo r intra-individual variability. Results: The mean daily intakes were 1760 k cal for energy, 73 g for protein, 228 g for carbohydrates, 15 g for fibre a nd 62 g for fat (24 g SFA, 25 g MUFA and 8 g PUFA). Energy and nutrient con sumption decreased with age excluding vitamins A, C and folate. Nutrient de nsity increased with age, with the lowest intakes seen in children and adol escents. As for social class, decreased calorie intake was observed in the lowest category, with the highest income level showing the greatest intakes for vitamin A, B12, niacin and folate. Noteworthy findings include an over all low caloric intake, and elevated risks of inadequate intakes (percentag es of the population with intakes below 2/3 of the RDI) for vitamins D (92. 5%). E (87.4%), A (74%), folate (44.7%), iron (30.1%) magnesium (14.9%) and vitamin C (5.4%). Risk for inadequate protein intake was not observed.