Inadecuación de micronutrientes en adolescentes y adultos argentinos de población urbana. Resultados del Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud (ELANS)

Abstract

Introduction: knowing the deficiency of micronutrients intake is essential to develop intervention strategies and to evaluate programs aimed at improving nutritional status. Objectives: to determine the consumption and inadequacy of the intake of iron, calcium, zinc, folic acid and vitamins A, B12, C, D and E, in the diet of the Argentine population. Materials and methods: the sample consisted of 1,266 individuals (urban population 15-65 years old), stratified by region, age, sex and socioeconomic level (SEL). Intake data was collected with two 24-hour reminders (R24). Results: the relative risk (RR) of inadequate intake of calcium, folic acid, and vitamin B12 was higher for women. Iron consumption and inadequacy showed significant differences by sex (0.3% men, 11% women). Vitamin D inadequacy was almost 100% for the entire sample. All age groups presented high prevalence of inadequacy in calcium and vitamins C, A and D. Adolescents, adults over 50 years and the low SEL population presented a higher RR of calcium inadequacy (1.18, 1.21 and 1.17, respectively). A significant decrease in the average consumption of calcium (mg) (856.4, 770.5, 745.3), vitamins A (mcg) (643.6, 601.8, 536.2), C (mg) (54.2, 52.3, 44.8) and D (mcg) (3.7, 3.7, 3.2) was observed as the SEL decreased. Calcium inadequacy increased significantly with the body mass index. Conclusions: improving the intake of deficient micronutrients through public policies based on food education and scientific development is a public health priority.