Dietary Habits and Cardiovascular Risk in the Spanish Population: The DRECE Study (II) Micronutrient Intake

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2000, Vol.44 (4), p.177-182
• Main Authors: Ballesteros-Pomar, M.D., Rubio-Herrera, M.A., Gutiérrez-Fuentes, J.A., Gómez-Gerique, J.A., Gómez-de-la-Cámara, A., Pascual, O., Gárate, I., Montero, R., Campiña, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Medical sciences; Nutritional survey. Food supply and nutritional requirement; Original Paper
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000012842

Objective: To evaluate the dietary micronutrient intake in the adult Spanish population participating in the DRECE study. Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed in two stages in 1991 and 1996 in 43 primary care clinics. One thousand two hundred people ‘with cardiovascular risk’ and 600 ‘without risk’ answered a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Significant increases in vitamin C, retinol, lycopenes, β-cryptoxanthin and vitamin E intakes were found. Vitamin A, α-carotenoid and lutein intakes decreased. Vitamin B 12 , B 6 and folic acid intakes increased in people with cardiovascular risk, whereas only the last two increased in the control group. Nearly 100% of the people consumed the recommended dietary allowances for vitamins B 12 and B 6 and >70% for folic acid. Calcium, iron, and zinc intake increased in both groups, but magnesium and selenium intake increased only in people at risk. Vitamin A, B 1 and zinc intakes have decreased, and >50% of the people do not consume the recommended dietary allowance. Conclusion: Antioxidant vitamins and vitamin B 12 , B 6 and folic acid intakes seem to be adequate in the adult Spanish population, no significant differences appear regarding their cardiovascular risk status. Vitamin A, B 1 and zinc intakes are not appropriate.