Relationship between the Number of Different Food Consumed and Nutrient Intakes

Lee, Joung Won; Hyun, Whajin; Kwak, Chung Shil; Kim, Cho Il; Lee, Haeng Shin

Abstract

In order to examine the relationship between the number of different foods consumed and nutrient intake, one-day food consumption were surveyed by 24-hour recall from a sample of 287 individuals(20-49 years) living in Daejon City. The number of consumed food items did not include seasonings except red pepper power, sugar, oil, and soybean paste when used in large amounts(DVS). The number, including all seasonings except salt and vinegar(DVSS), was also counted. Of the total subjects, 43.6%(DVS) or 39.0%(DVSS) consumed 18-23 daily different foods with an average of 20.2 or 22.9, respectively. As the DVS increased, daily intakes of total foods and most food groups were elevated. Cereals however were not changed and eggs were decreased with increasing DVS. Energy and nutrient intakes and their mean adequacy ratio(MAR) and index of nutritional quality(INQ) also show positive correlations with DVS. MAR equal to or greater than(> or =) 0.75 was taken as a cut-off point for nutritional adequacy. In that case, the mean INQ was shown to be > or =1. MRI(10) for energy and 9 nutrients and MAR(3) for Ca, vitamin A, and riboflavin were estimated. Form a regression analysis, when MAR(10) was 0.75, the DVS and DVSS were assumed to be 19.6 and 22.2, respectively. And when MAR(3) was 0.75, the DVS and DVSS were assumed to be 31.6 and 34.6, respectively. However the subjects whose MAR(3) was 0.75(0.7-0.8) 23.8(DVS) or 26.6(DVSS) different foods in average, and their mean intakes of energy and all nutrients, except vitamin A, were ranged at 85-100% of the RDA. Of the 74 subjects who consumed DVS> or =24, 24 to 42 numbers took <75% RDA of Fe, Ca, riboflavin, and vitamin A. And five of 7 who consumed DVS> or =32 took > or =125%RDA of protein, which showed concerns of overnutrition in case of DVS> or =32. Form the above results it could be suggested that a daily intake of 24-32(or 28) of DVS or 27-35(or 31) of DVSS was recommendable for an optimal nutritional of all nutrients if the variety of food groups and sufficient intake of vitamin A and calcium were emphasized together.