title: Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults--the Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, Federal University of Sao Paulo/ Paulista School of Medicine (Unifesp/ EPM), Brazil. mpinheiro@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Marcelo Medeiros
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Rozana Mesquita
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ciconelli
authors.forename: Gabriela Villaça
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Claudia Ridel
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Juzwiak
authors.forename: Patrícia de Souza
authors.initials: Pde S
authors.lastname: Genaro
authors.forename: Marcos Bosi
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ferraz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid