[The consumption of food of animal origin distinct from milk: meat, fish, eggs in the school-age population of the community of Madrid. The Food Consumption and Nutritional Status of the School-Age Population of the Autonomous Community of Madrid Group].

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the intake of foods of animal origin other than milk, as well as their role in the diet of children, in a representative sample of a school-aged population from the Community of Madrid (CAENPE study). A 4 day assessment of the dietary intake was conducted by applying a combination of the methods of 24-hour recall and a written record of the estimated consumption. We studied 2,608 schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 14 years. The subjects were divided into groups according to age and sex. We found that the average meat intake was 213 +/- 87 g/person/day. The consumption of meat was significantly higher in boys (p < 0.05) and increased with age both in boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.05). Meat provided 40% of the saturated fat, 34% of the cholesterol and 33.5% of the protein in the diet. Fish intake was 77 +/- 64 g/person/day, with higher consumption in boys (p < 0.05) and with no influence of age. Fish supplied 11% of the dietary protein and only 1.2% of the saturated fat. Egg consumption was 31 +/- 20 g/day/person, which represents 3 eggs per week. The consumption of eggs was also higher in boys than in girls (p < 0.05) and provides 28% of the dietary cholesterol. We conclude that meat provides more than one third of the dietary protein and alone covers the RDA for protein. In addition, meat also contributes the highest amount of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol. Egg and fish intake is adequate; hence, it would be desirable to reduce the excessive meat intake in order to equilibrate the macronutrients and cholesterol supplied by the diet.