Resumen

DEL REAL, Sara Irene et al. Consumo y adecuación de energía y nutrientes en niños urbanos de bajos recursos económicos de Valencia, Venezuela. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2004, vol.17, n.2, pp.28-41. ISSN 0798-0752.

The objective of the study was to determine energy and nutrient intake and establish dietary adequacy of 438 children between 4-14 years of age, from a low income community in Valencia , Venezuela . Food intake data were collected by means of 3 non-consecutive 24-hour recalls. Amounts of energy, macronutrients, fiber, vitamin A, iron, vitamin C, calcium, and zinc were assessed and compared with national references, through Nutrient Adequacy Ratios (NAR). As an overall measure of diet quality, the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) was calculated. Median energy intake was 1548 (NAR=0,91). Other nutrients achieved or exceeded the recommendations, except for calcium and zinc (NARS of 0,51 mg and 0,86 mg, correspondingly), Preschoolers (<7 years old) had significantly higher NARs than school-aged children for energy and other nutrients, with the exception of iron which was higher in the older children; no differences were found for zinc. Preschoolers had a significantly higher MAR than school-aged children (p=0,000), suggesting a better diet. Although these families live in poverty, the children have an acceptable energy and nutrient intake. Nevertheless, since most food behaviors are shaped during childhood, developing nutritional educational interventions for children and their families is desirable in order to improve the children’s calcium rich foods intake and the school-aged children caloric intake.

Palabras clave : : food intake; diet; nutrient adequacy ratio; children; poverty; Venezuela.