Læknablaðið - 15.01.2013, Qupperneq 23

RANNSÓKN
ENGLISH SUMMARY
Diet of six-year-old lcelandic children - National dietary survey 2011-2012
Gunnarsdottir I, Helgadottir H, Thorisdottir B, Thorsdottir I
Aim: Knowledge of dietary habits makes the basis for pubiic nutrition
policy. The aim of this study was to assess dietary intake of lcelandic
six-year-olds.
Material and methods: Subjects were randomly selected six-year-old
children (n=162). Dietary intake was assessed by three-day-weighed
food records. Food and nutrient intake was compared with the lcelandic
food based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and recommended intake of
vitamins and minerals.
Results: Fruit and vegetable intake was on average 275±164 g/d, and
less than 20% of the subjects consumed a400 g/day. Fish and cod
liver oil intake was in line with the FBDG among approximately 25% of
subjects. Most subjects (87%) consumed at least two portions of dairy
products daily. Food with relatively low nutrient density (cakes, cookies,
sugar sweetened drinks, sweets and ice-cream) provided up to 25%
of total energy intake. The contribution of saturated fatty acids to total
energy intake was 14.1%. Less than 20% of the children consumed diet-
ary fibers in line with recommendations, and for saturated fat and salt
only 5% consumed less than the recommended upper limits. Average
intake of most vitamins and minerals, apart from vitamin-D, was higher
than the recommended intake.
Conclusion: Although the vitamin and mineral density of the diet seems
adequate, with the exception of vitamin-D, the contribution of low energy
density food to total energy intake is high. Intake of vegetables, fruits,
fish and cod liver oil is not in line with public recommendations. Strate-
gies aiming at improving diet of young children are needed.
Key words: Childnutrition sciences, food habits, nutrition policy, child, diet surveys, nutritive value.
Correspondence: Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir, ingigun@hi.is
Unit for Nutrition Research, Faculty ofFood Science and Nutrition, University of lceland & Landspítali The National University Hospital of lceland.
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