Dietary fat intakes in Irish children: changes between 2005 and 2019

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Date
2020-10-26
Authors
O'Connor, Aileen
Buffini, Maria
Nugent, Anne
Kehoe, Laura
Flynn, Albert
Walton, Janette
Kearney, John
McNulty, Breige
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Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society
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Abstract
Objective: To examine current dietary fat intakes and compliance in Irish children and to examine changes in intakes from 2005 to 2019. Design: Analyses were based on data from the Irish National Children’s Food Survey (NCFS) and the NSFS II, two cross-sectional studies that collected detailed food and beverage intake data through 7-day and 4-day weighed food diaries, respectively. Setting: NCFS and NCFS II, Republic of Ireland. Participants: A nationally representative sample of 594 (NCFS) and 600 (NCFS II) children aged 5–12 years. Current intakes from the NCFS II were compared with those previously reported in the NCFS (www.iuna.net). Results: Current intakes of total fat, SFA, MUFA, PUFA and trans fat as a percentage of total energy are 33·3, 14·0, 13·6, 5·6 and 0·5 %, respectively. Total fat, SFA and trans fat intakes since 2005 remained largely stable over time with all displaying minor decreases of <1 %. Adherence to SFA recommendations remains inadequate, with only 7 % of the population complying. Insufficient compliance with PUFA (71 %) and EPA and DHA (DHA; 16 %) recommendations was also noted. Conclusion: Children in Ireland continue to meet the total fat and trans fat target goals. Adherence to MUFA and PUFA recommendations has also significantly improved. However, deviations for some fats remain, in particular SFA. These findings are useful for the development of dietary strategies to improve compliance with current recommendations.
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Keywords
Dietary fat , Fatty acid intakes , SFA , PUFA , Children
Citation
O'Connor, A., Buffini, M., Nugent, A., Kehoe, L., Flynn, A., Walton, J., Kearney, J. and McNulty, B. (2020) 'Dietary fat intakes in Irish children: changes between 2005 and 2019', Public Health Nutrition, 24(5), pp. 802-812. doi: 10.1017/S1368980020004255
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© 2020, the Authors. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society. This material is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works.