title: Essential fatty acid intake and serum fatty acid composition among adolescent girls in central Mozambique.
abstract: Many African diets are low in fat but are currently changing because of nutrition transition. We studied fat and fatty acid (FA) intake and the essential fatty acid (EFA) status of adolescent girls (aged 14-19 years, n 262) in Zambezia Province, central Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a city as well as in the towns and rural villages of a coastal and an inland district. Dietary intake and FA sources were studied in a 24 h dietary recall. FA compositions of cholesteryl esters and phospholipids of non-fasting serum samples were analysed by GLC. Fat intake was low (13-18 % of energy) in all areas. Coconut and palm oil were the main sources of fat, and soyabean oil and maize were the main sources of PUFA. Compared to Food and Agriculture Organization/WHO 2010 recommendations, intake of linoleic acid (LA, 18 : 2n-6) was inadequate in the coastal district, and intakes of n-3 PUFA were inadequate in all areas. FA compositions of serum lipids differed between areas. The proportions of LA tended to be highest in the city and lowest in the rural areas. The phospholipid mead (20 : 3n-9):arachidonic acid (20 : 4n-6) ratio did not indicate EFA insufficiency. LA proportions in phospholipids were low, but those of long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA were high in comparison with Western adolescents. To conclude, fat sources, FA intake and EFA status differed between adolescent girls living in different types of communities. Fat intake was low, but EFA insufficiency was not indicated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences,PO Box 66, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freese
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences,PO Box 66, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Korkalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Uppsala University,Uppsala Science Park, SE-751 85Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vessby
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Uppsala University,Uppsala Science Park, SE-751 85Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: Siv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tengblad
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences,PO Box 66, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.
authors.forename: Elina M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Vaara
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences,PO Box 66, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hauta-alus
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Food Security Association (ANSA),Maputo,Mozambique.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Selvester
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences,PO Box 66, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mutanen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000208:ethnology; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D009073:Mozambique / Q000453:epidemiology; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D012423:Rural Health / Q000208:ethnology; D012621:Seasons; D014504:Urban Health / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential
keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa