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Macronutrient intakes and food sources in Irish adults: findings of the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2008

KE Harrington*
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
MJ McGowan
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
M Kiely
Affiliation:
Nutrition Sciences, Department of Food Science and Technology, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland
PJ Robson
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland
MBE Livingstone
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland
PA Morrissey
Affiliation:
Nutrition Sciences, Department of Food Science and Technology, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland
MJ Gibney
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
*
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Abstract

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Objective

To describe macronutrient intakes and food sources of the adult population in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and to assess adherence of this population to current dietary recommendations.

Design

A cross-sectional food consumption survey collected food intake data using a 7-day food diary.

Setting

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between October 1997 and October 1999.

Subjects

One thousand three hundred and seventy-nine adults aged 18–64 years (662 males and 717 females).

Results

Mean daily energy intakes in men were 11 MJ per day, 15.5% was derived from protein, 34.8% from fat, 43.5% from carbohydrate and 5.9% from alcohol. Corresponding figures for women were 7.6 MJ per day, 15.6%, 35.6%, 45.1% and 3.5%. When alcohol energy was excluded the contribution of fat and carbohydrate to energy did not differ between men and women. When compared with existing dietary recommendations, 93% of men and 86% of women had protein intakes above the Population Reference Intake. Two approaches were used to assess adherence to the fat and carbohydrate dietary recommendations: (1) the proportion of individuals in the population attaining these dietary targets and (2) the proportion of the population that was included in a 'compliers' group which had a group mean equal to these dietary targets. Thirty-three per cent of men and 34% of women met the target of 35% of food energy from fat and 78% of men and 80% of women comprised the ‘compliers’ group having a group mean of 35% of food energy from fat. Twentythree per cent of men and 27% of women met the target of 50% of food energy from carbohydrate and 56% of men and 62% of women made up the 'compliers' group. Meat and meat products were the main source of fat (23%) and protein (37%), and bread and rolls (25%) were the main source of carbohydrate.

Conclusion

A reduction in dietary fat intake remains an important public health issue in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. An increase in carbohydrate intake and attention to the rise in alcohol intake is also warranted.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001