Food patterns of Spanish schoolchildren and adolescents: The enKid Study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate dietary habits and nutritional status of Spanish schoolchildren and adolescents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study by face-to-face interview.


METHODS
A random sample of 3534 people aged 2 to 24 years were interviewed by a team of 43 dietitians in the subjects' homes. Interviews included 24-hour recalls (a second 24-hour recall in 30% of the sample), a food-frequency questionnaire and other questions including lifestyles, knowledge and food preferences.


RESULTS
The participation rate was 68%. Mean daily energy consumption was 2189 kcal among males and 1781 kcal among females, and the percentage of energy from fat and saturated fat was 39.8% and 13.4%, respectively, without any differences by gender. Of females, 95% showed folic acid intakes below 200 microg day(-1). Consumption expressed as food groups reflected a westernised Mediterranean pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
The enKid Study provides reliable and useful nutrition information for children and adolescents in Spain, having incorporated a rigorous methodological design within a representative sample.
Serra-Majem
L
L
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. lserra@cicei.ulpgc.es
García-Closas
R
R
Ribas
L
L
Pérez-Rodrigo
C
C
Aranceta
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002523:Edible Grain; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires