Inadequate nutrient intakes in Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents are common among those from rural areas and poor families

Abstract

Background Adequate nutrition during childhood and adolescence is essential to promote growth and development. Objective This study evaluated usual energy and nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents. Design Food and beverage intakes were collected from a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 6–9 and 10–12 years ( n = 3,594 and n = 2,971, respectively) and adolescents aged 13–18 years ( n = 5,447) using 24-h dietary recalls. The distributions of usual energy and nutrient intakes and the prevalence of inadequate intakes, which is defined as the percent of children with intakes less than estimated average requirements or acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, were estimated using the Personal Computer Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) program. Results The results showed that the mean energy intakes were 19–35% lower than estimated energy requirement. High prevalence of inadequate intakes was found for most macro- and micronutrients. Prevalence of inadequacies was as follows: protein 12–47%, total fat (as percentage of energy) 38–52%, calcium 92–94%, iron 75–90%, vitamin C 68–96%, folate 61–93%, vitamin A 58–81%, riboflavin 58–91%, thiamin 27–75%, and phosphorus 18–91%. Conclusions Generally, prevalence of inadequacy of key nutrients were relatively high among adolescents and schoolchildren, especially those from poor families and rural areas. This study demonstrated that nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents were highly inadequate, particularly among the poor and those living in rural areas.

The Impact of Wealth Status on Food Intake Patterns in Filipino School-Aged Children and Adolescents

“…In general, Filipino children and adolescents presented inadequate intake of protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Greater inadequacies were observed in children of poorer SES, with the exception of vitamin C [4]. This study highlighted low intake of milk and meat in all children of poor SES across the three age groups; in contrast, intake of vegetables and fruit, which included fruit juice, were greater in children of poor SES.…”

“…This may be due to limited access to fruit and vegetables, cost impediments, or a lack of nutrition knowledge [23]. In our recent publication, fiber intake was greater in children from rural dwelling locations; this may be a result of a significantly greater vegetable intake in these children [4]. Intake of fruit and vegetables increased with increasing age by approximately 20 g per day.…”

“…3 Includes champorado pre-mix, rice gruel, spaghetti, meatballs and tomato sauce, canned. 4 Includes corn grits, cornmeal, Job's tears grain, and millet glutinous. 5 Includes fresh, dried, cooked, smoked, canned fish and fish products.…”

“…The nutrient intake of this young Filipino population have been recently published [4]. In general, Filipino children and adolescents presented inadequate intake of protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and B vitamins.…”

“…Recent evidence from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey identified inadequate intake of macroand micronutrients, including protein, total fat, calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, and phosphorus [4]. The prevalence of these nutrient inadequacies was greater in children and adolescents living in a rural location or of a poor SES [4]. This imbalance in nutrients is potentially due to poor dietary diversity due to limited food consumption variation.…”