Vitamin E Intake and Food Sources in Adolescent Diet: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess vitamin E intake and its relationship with sociodemographic variables, and to identify the main dietary sources of the nutrient in the diet of adolescents. Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study that used data from 891 adolescents living in Campinas, SP, participating in ISACamp 2014/15 (Health Survey) and ISACamp-Nutri 2015/16 (Food Consumption and Nutritional Status Survey). The nutrient intake averages were estimated using the Generalized Linear Model, adjusted for the total energy of the diet. Dietary sources of vitamin E were identified from the calculation of the relative contribution. Results: The average vitamin E intake was 3.2 mg for adolescents aged 10 to 13 years and 3.5 mg for those aged 14 to 19 years, results far below the recommended values of 9 and 12 mg, respectively. The prevalence of inadequacy was 92.5%. Ten foods/food groups represented 85.7% of vitamin E present in the adolescents’ diet; the vegetable oils group accounted for more than a quarter of the contribution (25.5%), followed by cookies (9.1%) and beans (8.9%). Conclusions: There were a low intake and a high prevalence of inadequate vitamin E intake among adolescents in Campinas, with vegetable oil as the main source. For the total number of adolescents, almost 33% of the nutrient content was derived from foods of poor nutritional quality such as cookies, packaged snacks, and margarine. The results of this study can guide public health actions that aim to improve the quality of adolescents’ diets.

Role of Vitamin E in Boosting the Immunity from Neonates to Elderly

“…The natural form of vitamin E rich foods should be incorporated into the diet. The healthy foods should be added to the diet for the efficient action of antioxidants in the human system [47]. The mother's milk Role of Vitamin E in Boosting the Immunity from Neonates to Elderly DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98553 especially colostrum contains higher concentration of vitamin E which prevents the infants from oxidative damage and develops their immune system.…”

“…The low intake of vitamin E in childhood and adulthood leads possibly to hypertension than those who have taken an adequate amount of vitamin E. The cardiovascular disease risk can be decreased by --tocopherol which inhibits LDL oxidation and reduces the inflammatory responses [46]. The intake of antioxidants could prevent the lipid peroxidation [47]. The epidemiological study with 27271 men who were smokers and by no records of myocardial infraction in the age group 50-69 was divided into group and supplemented with vitamin E, placebo and beta-carotene.…”

Vitamin E: Recommended Intake

“…The prevalence of inadequate vitamin E intake was reported to be 92.5% in the total Brasil adolescent population, 91.6% in boys, and 93.5% in girls (p = 0.358). Brasil adolescents aged 10 to 13 years showed a less inadequate ingestion (p < 0.001) when compared to those aged 14 to 19 years: 87.7% and 95.1%, respectively [26] (Table 2). Jordão et al [26] identified a high prevalence of vitamin E inadequacy, verified by a low intake of the nutrient, and the observation that ultra-processed foods, such as cookies, packaged snacks, and margarine, provided for almost 33% of the vitamin E content ingested by adolescents in Campinas.…”

“…Brasil adolescents aged 10 to 13 years showed a less inadequate ingestion (p < 0.001) when compared to those aged 14 to 19 years: 87.7% and 95.1%, respectively [26] (Table 2). Jordão et al [26] identified a high prevalence of vitamin E inadequacy, verified by a low intake of the nutrient, and the observation that ultra-processed foods, such as cookies, packaged snacks, and margarine, provided for almost 33% of the vitamin E content ingested by adolescents in Campinas. Furthermore, healthy foods considered as critical dietary sources of vitamin E did not contribute significantly when extrapolated to the total nutrient intake.…”