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Review
. 2017 Nov 27;9(12):1288.
doi: 10.3390/nu9121288.

Adult Nutrient Intakes from Current National Dietary Surveys of European Populations

Holly L Rippin  1 , Jayne Hutchinson  2 , Jo Jewell  3 , Joao J Breda  4 , Janet E Cade  5
Affiliations
Review

Adult Nutrient Intakes from Current National Dietary Surveys of European Populations

Holly L Rippin et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages countries to undertake national dietary survey (NDS) but implementation and reporting is inconsistent. This paper provides an up-to-date review of adult macro and micronutrient intakes in European populations as reported by NDS. It uses WHO Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) to assess intake adequacy and highlight areas of concern. NDS information was gathered primarily by internet searches and contacting survey authors and nutrition experts. Survey characteristics and adult intakes by gender/age group were extracted for selected nutrients and weighted means calculated by region. Of the 53 WHO Europe countries, over a third (n = 19), mainly Central & Eastern European countries (CEEC), had no identifiable NDS. Energy and nutrient intakes were extracted for 21 (40%) countries but differences in age group, methodology, under-reporting and nutrient composition databases hindered inter-country comparisons. No country met more than 39% WHO RNIs in all age/gender groups; macronutrient RNI achievement was poorer than micronutrient. Overall RNI attainment was slightly worse in CEEC and lower in women and female elderly. Only 40% countries provided adult energy and nutrient intakes. The main gaps lie in CEEC, where unknown nutrient deficiencies may occur. WHO RNI attainment was universally poor for macronutrients, especially for women, the female elderly and CEEC. All countries could be encouraged to report a uniform nutrient set and sub-analyses of nationally representative nutrient intakes.

Keywords: Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs); WHO European region; macronutrient intakes; micronutrient intakes; national diet surveys; nutritional epidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The co-authors Joao Breda and Jo Jewell are staff members of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe; however, the authors are responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or stated policy of WHO.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean/median* adult energy intake (MJ/day) for Western European countries (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean/median adult energy intake (MJ/day) for Northern European countries (excluding supplements).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean/median adult energy intake (MJ/day) for Central & Eastern European countries (excluding supplements).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean/median* adult carbohydrate intake (g/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean/median* adult fibre intake (g/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Mean/median adult added sugars intake (g/day) (excluding supplements).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Mean/median* adult fat intake (g/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Mean/median* adult saturates intake (g/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Mean/median* adult iron intake (mg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Mean/median* adult iodine intake (μg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Mean/median* adult potassium intake (mg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Mean/median* adult folic acid intake (μg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Mean/median* adult sodium intake (mg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Mean/median* adult vitamin D intake (μg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Mean/median* adult calcium intake (mg/day) (excluding supplements). * Figures for Spain are based on median rather than mean values.
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MeSH terms