Abstract
Background: Earlier reviews indicated that in many countries adults, children and adolescents consume on an average less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation. Summary: The intake of total and individual n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in European infants, children, adolescents, elderly and pregnant/lactating women was evaluated systematically. Results: The evaluations were done against recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. Key Messages: Fifty-three studies from 17 different European countries reported an intake of total n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and/or individual n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in at least one of the specific population groups: 10 in pregnant women, 4 in lactating women, 3 in infants 6-12 months, 6 in children 1-3 years, 11 in children 4-9 years, 8 in adolescents 10-18 years and 11 in elderly >65 years. Mean linoleic acid intake was within the recommendation (4 energy percentage [E%]) in 52% of the countries, with inadequate intakes more likely in lactating women, adolescents and elderly. Mean alpha-linolenic acid intake was within the recommendation (0.5 E%) in 77% of the countries. In 26% of the countries, mean eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid intake was as recommended. These results indicate that intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs may be suboptimal in specific population groups in Europe. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 39-50 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
- N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid
- Dietary intake
- Dietary recommendations
- ARACHIDONIC-ACID
- DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID
- BREAST-MILK
- DIETARY GUIDELINES
- INFANT FORMULA
- PREGNANT-WOMEN
- 1ST YEAR
- NUTRITION
- ESSENTIALITY
- PREVENTION