Objective: To describe the energy and macronutrient intake and the meal patterns of Flemish adolescents, aged 13 -18 y. Methods: A 7 day estimated food record was administered to the whole sample. Setting: Secondary schools in the city of Ghent, Belgium. Subjects: A total of 341 adolescents (13 -18 y) selected by a multistage clustered sampling (participation: 72.7%). Main results: A significant increase with age was observed in total energy intake in adolescent boys (P < 0.01), but not in girls. The energy distribution over the macronutrients showed no significant difference between boys and girls. On average, 35.7% (s.d. 4.81%) of energy came from total fat and 15.4% (s.d. 2.46%) from saturated fatty acids; 49.0% (s.d. 5.28%) from total carbohydrates with 25.1% (s.d. 4.49%) from complex carbohydrates and 23.9% (s.d. 5.86%) from free sugars. The energy contribution of alcohol in the 16 -18 y-old-group was significantly higher as compared with the 13 -15 y-old-group, for both boys and girls. Snacks between meals accounted for almost 20% of the total energy intake. Lunch and dinner were characterized by high total fat content. Conclusion: These students consumed a diet high in total fat and in saturated fatty acids and also high in mono-and disaccharides. Observed mean intakes deviate considerably from the Belgian dietary guidelines. A low energy intake at breakfast was observed, while a higher proportion of energy was derived from snacks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.