Changes in food and nutrient intake of 6- to 17-year-old Germans between the 1980s and 2006

Abstract Objective To compare the food consumption and nutrient intakes of German children and adolescents in the 1980s with present dietary habits. Design Two cross-sectional representative surveys, the German National Food Consumption Study (Nationale Verzehrsstudie, NVS) from 1985–8 and the nutri...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public Health Nutrition
Main Authors: Stahl, Anna, Vohmann, Claudia, Richter, Almut, Heseker, Helmut, Mensink, Gert BM
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2009
Subjects:
eskimo*
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980009004844
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1368980009004844
Description
Summary:Abstract Objective To compare the food consumption and nutrient intakes of German children and adolescents in the 1980s with present dietary habits. Design Two cross-sectional representative surveys, the German National Food Consumption Study (Nationale Verzehrsstudie, NVS) from 1985–8 and the nutrition module ‘EsKiMo’ of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) from 2006, were analysed for differences in food and nutrient intakes stratified by age and sex groups. Setting Secondary analyses of data from representative observational studies. Subjects Children and adolescents aged 6–17 years living in Germany in the 1980s ( n 2265) and in 2006 ( n 2506). Results Food consumption was characterised by higher amounts of vegetables/pulses, fruits/nuts and beverages and less meat products/sausages, butter, fats/oils, potatoes/potato products and bread/pastries in 2006 than in 1985–8. The overall changes in food intake were reflected in improvements of macronutrient composition, increased water intake and lower energy density of the diet. Intake of most vitamins and minerals increased in relation to energy intake, but the nutrient density of the diet for vitamins B 12 and D decreased. The most critical nutrients observed in NVS and EsKiMo were folate, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, Ca and Fe. In addition, dietary fibre intake was relatively low and fatty acid and carbohydrate compositions were not favourable. Conclusions Further efforts will be necessary to improve dietary habits among children and adolescents.

Similar Items