Patrones alimentarios en adultos que asisten a consultorios de atención primaria en la región metropolitana / Food patterns in adult outpatients at metropolitan region

RESUMEN

A non-randomly selected group of 859 adults (410 men) from 120 health care centers of the National Health System (oct. 1995) was studied. Food intake was assessed by 24 hours recall applied by well-trained standarized nutritionists. Both frequency and food and nutrients intake were calculated. The mean age was 35.8ñ10.6 years old. Median energy, protein and fat intake in male were 2324 kcal, 84g y 70g, respectively. For women, medians intake were 1668 kcal, 59g and 53g respectively. From the total sample 72 percent, 53 percent y 71 percent reported consumption of less than 2 servings of milk product, vegetables and fruits. Likewise 42, 36 and 22 percent of subjects had calcium, vitamin A and C intake below than 50 percent of the corresponding recommended dietary allowances (RDA). On the other hand 24 percent of the sample had daily salt consumption higher than 5g, 37 percent had energy intake derived from fat higher than 30 percent of total calories and 15 percent had more than 10 percent of the energy supplied by sugar. A significant part of the adult population had inadequate patterns of food intake which confirms the need to promote a healthier diet