RESUMEN
This is a first large epidemiological study of calcium intake in Ukrainian population. The data from 1518 outpatient subjects aged 20-89 years old showed that the mean level of calcium intake composed 615.6 mg/day (735.4 mg/day in males and 565.6 mg/day in females, p < 0.0001) without any significant differences according to age. INTRODUCTION: Insufficiency in calcium (Ca) intake is a worldwide problem; however, corresponding data regarding Ukrainian population is limited. This research was aimed to investigate the level of Ca consumption in daily rations of Ukrainian adults depending on age and sex. METHODS: The data from 1518 outpatient subjects from urban and rural areas of Ukraine were analyzed; the Ca intake was evaluated by the method of 24-h dietary recalls during three non-consecutive days by a trained dietitian with further computer calculation. RESULTS: The mean level of Ca intake in Ukrainian population composed 615.6 mg/day (735.4 mg/day in males and 565.6 mg/day in females) with significantly higher level of consumption in men than in women in whole group and in the subjects aged 50 years and more. In total, 67% of men and 78% of women consumed less than 800 mg/day Ca and only 28% of males and 10% of females consumed more than 1000 mg/day Ca. CONCLUSIONS: This is a first large epidemiological study of Ca intake in Ukrainian population which confirmed its low level. This insufficiency in Ca intake can have a negative influence on exaggerated bone loss, osteoporosis development, and fracture risk that require forehanded correction.