Food sources and intake of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in low-income countries with emphasis on infants, young children (6-24 months), and pregnant and lactating women

Abstract

With increasing interest in the potential effects of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in early life, there is a need for data on the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in low-income countries. This review compiles information on the content in breast milk and in foods that are important in the diets of low-income countries from the few studies available. We also estimate the availability of fat and fatty acids in 13 low-income and middle-income countries based on national food balance sheets from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical Database (FOASTAT). Breast milk docosahexaenoic acid content is very low in populations living mainly on a plant-based diet, but higher in fish-eating countries. Per capita supply of fat and n-3 fatty acids increases markedly with increasing gross domestic product (GDP). In most of the 13 countries, 70-80% of the supply of PUFA comes from cereals and vegetable oils, some of which have very low α-linolenic acid (ALA) content. The total n-3 fatty acid supply is below or close to the lower end of the recommended intake range [0.4%E (percentage of energy supply)] for infants and young children, and below the minimum recommended level (0.5%E) for pregnant and lactating women in the nine countries with the lowest GDP. Fish is important as a source of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, but intake is low in many countries. The supply of n-3 fatty acids can be increased by using vegetable oils with higher ALA content (e.g. soybean or rapeseed oil) and by increasing fish production (e.g. through fish farming).

Figure 1

The contribution of different foods to the intake in Gambian children to (a) fat intake, (b): n‐6 fatty acid intake and (c) n‐3 fatty acid intake (from Prentice & Paul 2000, reprinted with permission from American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). GN oil, Ground nut oil.

Figure 2

Total fish supply for selected countries extracted from FAOSTAT (2010), showing the supply of freshwater fish to the total supply. g/cap/day = grams per capita per day.

Figure 3

The average country supply of total fat, n‐6 and n‐3 fatty acids (weight %) relative to the gross domestic product (GDP) in US$ for each country. Source for supply data: FAOSTAT (2010). Source for GDP data: World Bank (2008).

Figure 4

Total fat supply [percentage of energy supply (%E)] in 13 countries ranked according to increasing gross domestic product. The recommended range in fat intakes by pregnant and lactating women is shown. The recommendation for the 6–24 months age group is a gradual reduction to 35%E (FAO/WHO 2008).

Figure 5

The n‐6 fatty acid supply [percentage of energy supply (%E)] in 13 countries ranked according to increasing gross domestic product. The Adequate Intake (AI) ranges for pregnant and lactating women and for the 6–24 months age group are shown (FAO/WHO 2008).

Figure 6

The n‐3 fatty acid supply [percentage of energy supply (%E)] in 13 countries ranked according to gross domestic product. The AMDR for pregnant and lactating women and the AI for the 6–24 months age group are shown (FAO/WHO 2008). AMDR, acceptable macronutrient distribution range; AI, adequate intake.