Macronutrient intakes and food sources in Irish adults: findings of the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey

Abstract

Objective: To describe macronutrient intakes and food sources of the adult population in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and to assess adherence of this population to current dietary recommendations. Design: A cross-sectional food consumption survey collected food intake data using a 7-day food diary. Setting: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between October 1997 and October 1999. Subjects: One thousand three hundred and seventy-nine adults aged 18-64 years (662 males and 717 females). Results: Mean daily energy intakes in men were 11 MJ per day, 15.5% was derived from protein, 34.8% from fat, 43.5% from carbohydrate and 5.9% from alcohol. Corresponding figures for women were 7.6 MJ per day, 15.6%, 35.6%, 45.1% and 3.5%. When alcohol energy was excluded the contribution of fat and carbohydrate to energy did not differ between men and women. When compared with existing dietary recommendations, 93% of men and 86% of women had protein intakes above the Population Reference Intake. Two approaches were used to assess adherence to the fat and carbohydrate dietary recommendations: (1) the proportion of individuals in the population attaining these dietary targets and (2) the proportion of the population that was included in a 'compliers' group which had a group mean equal to these dietary targets. Thirty-three per cent of men and 34% of women met the target of 35% of food energy from fat and 78% of men and 80% of women comprised the 'compliers' group having a group mean of 35% of food energy from fat. Twentythree per cent of men and 27% of women met the target of 50% of food energy from carbohydrate and 56% of men and 62% of women made up the 'compliers' group. Meat and meat products were the main source of fat (23%) and protein (37%), and bread and rolls (25%) were the main source of carbohydrate.

Glycemic index, carbohydrate and fiber intakes and risk of reflux esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma

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Analysis of the temporal intake of cereal and dairy products in Irish adults: implications for developing food-based dietary guidelines

“…These two nutrients were chosen because of their public health nutrition importance in Ireland as found by Harrington et al 24 and Galvin et al 10 .…”

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