Development of a recommended food intake pattern for healthy Danish adolescents consistent with the Danish dietary guidelines, nutrient recommendations and national food preferences.
BACKGROUND
Danish adolescents have poor dietary habits compared to current recommendations. The present study aimed to develop a recommended food intake pattern for adolescents consistent with Danish Dietary Guidelines (DDG), Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) and dietary preferences.


METHODS
The nutrient content of a food intake pattern consistent with DDG was calculated using dietary intake data from a random sample of 11-15-year-old boys (n = 85) and girls (n = 70). A recommended food intake pattern was modelled to meet NNR. The discretionary energy allowance was calculated as the difference between the total energy level and the energy needed to meet recommended nutrient needs. The flexibility of the recommended food intake pattern was tested against various energy requirements and with the inclusion of basic foods with higher sugar and/or fat content.


RESULTS
The developed food intake pattern meets all nutrient goals except for vitamin D. At low energy requirements, the intake of iron and selenium is of concern. To fulfil nutrient recommendations, half of the bread/cereals and vegetables consumed should be fibre-rich, and fats should be of plant origin.


CONCLUSIONS
The recommended food intake pattern meets most nutrient recommendations and makes it possible to advise on discretionary energy.
Biltoft-Jensen
A
A
Department of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark. apbj@food.dtu.dk
Trolle
E
E
Christensen
T
T
Ygil
K H
KH
Fagt
S
S
Matthiessen
J
J
Groth
M V
MV
Tetens
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D012643:Selenium