title: Dietary intake of Nova Scotia youth in grades 7 and 11.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined dietary intakes among Nova Scotia youth, and analyzed whether these intakes met existing dietary guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 1469 students in grades 7 and 11 from randomly selected schools were collected via a web-based dietary assessment tool, including a 24-hour recall. Nutrient analysis products were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reported dietary intakes across sexes and grades showed the vast majority of youth did not meet minimum recommendations for fibre (96% to 98%) or vegetable and fruit servings (83.3% to 90.7%). Girls in grade 11 reported greater intakes of folate and lower intakes of saturated fat, and were less likely to report iron intakes at or above the Estimated Average Requirement than were grade 7 girls. Across ages, more than 75% of girls reported low calcium and folate intakes. Boys in both grades reported consuming more energy than did girls, and older boys reported consuming more than did younger boys. Foods outside the four main food groups contributed about 25% of total reported energy intake. Students in grade 7 consumed pop, salty snacks, and french fries more frequently than did students in grade 11.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents' self-reported dietary intakes may not meet current dietary recommendations. Continued efforts are needed to develop innovative strategies to ensure healthy eating patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: Laurie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Wadsworth
authors.forename: Tara-Leigh
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Phillip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Durant
authors.forename: René J L
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Laurene A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rehman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009674:Nova Scotia; D018673:Nutrition Policy