title: Micronutrient intake and status in Central and Eastern Europe compared with other European countries, results from the EURRECA network.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare micronutrient intakes and status in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with those in other European countries and with reference values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the micronutrient intake/status data from open access and grey literature sources from CEE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Micronutrients studied were folate, iodine, Fe, vitamin B12 and Zn (for intake and status) and Ca, Cu, Se, vitamin C and vitamin D (for intake). Intake data were based on validated dietary assessment methods; mean intakes were compared with average nutrient requirements set by the Nordic countries or the US Institute of Medicine. Nutritional status was assessed using the status biomarkers and cut-off levels recommended primarily by the WHO.
  
  
  METHODS
  For all population groups in CEE, the mean intake and mean/median status levels were compared between countries and regions: CEE, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Mediterranean.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean micronutrient intakes of adults in the CEE region were in the same range as those from other European regions, with exception of Ca (lower in CEE). CEE children and adolescents had poorer iodine status, and intakes of Ca, folate and vitamin D were below the reference values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEE countries are lacking comparable studies on micronutrient intake/status across all age ranges, especially in children. Available evidence showed no differences in micronutrient intake/status in CEE populations in comparison with other European regions, except for Ca intake in adults and iodine and Fe status in children. The identified knowledge gaps urge further research on micronutrient intake/status of CEE populations to make a basis for evidence-based nutrition policy.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research, Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Belgrade, Tadeusa Koscuska 1, Belgrade 11000, Serbia. romanabgd@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Romana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novaković
authors.forename: Adrienne E J M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Cavelaars
authors.forename: Geertruida E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Bekkering
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roman-Viñas
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurinović
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glibetić
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.forename: Mana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golesorkhi
authors.forename: Marisol Warthon
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Satalić
authors.forename: Anouk
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geelen
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra Majem
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van't Veer
authors.forename: Lisette C P G M
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Groot
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012016:Reference Values; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients