Assessment of micronutrients intakes in the Spanish population: a review of the findings from the ANIBES study.

INTRODUCTION

micronutrients are essential compounds present in foods and diets should provide adequate quantities to maintain growth, development and metabolic functions in men.

OBJECTIVES

to review the adequacy to micronutrient recommendations amongst the population from the ANIBES study.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

published data from the ANIBES Study was reviewed to assess intakes in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) for each age group including total, plausible and non-plausible reporters.

RESULTS

throughout all age groups, folates and vitamin D were the vitamins with the lowest proportion of subjects having intakes above 80% the RDI. Zinc intake was lower in children, adults and the elderly but not in adolescents. Nevertheless, vitamin D consumption increased with age.

CONCLUSION

our results show inadequate intakes for at least three key micronutrients across all age groups. Authorities should promote nationwide nutritional policies to address unbalanced diets focusing on reaching vulnerable populations in order to overcome this major public health problem.