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The National Adult Nutrition Survey: dietary fibre intake of Irish adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2011

S. Bannon ,
J. Walton  and
A. Flynn
S. Bannon
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland
J. Walton
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland
A. Flynn
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

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Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 70 , Issue OCE3: Joint Irish Section and American Society for Nutrition Meeting, 15–17 June 2011, 70th anniversary: ‘Vitamins in early development and healthy ageing: impact on infectious and chronic disease’ , 2011 , E113
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011

The objective of the current research was to determine the dietary fibre (DF) intake of Irish adults. Analysis was based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS), which was carried out to establish a comprehensive database of habitual food and drink consumption in a representative sample of adults aged 18 years and above in the Republic of Ireland. A 4-d semi-weighed food diary was used to collect dietary intake data from 1500 adults (18–64 years, n 1274; ≥65 years, n 226). Dietary intake data were entered into WISP©, (Tinuviel Software, Llanfechell, Anglesey, UK), which is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, 6th edition(1) and the Irish food composition database(Reference Black, Ireland and Møller2).

abDenotes significant difference within age group between sexes (P<0.001).

* Denotes significant difference between age groups (P<0.01).

While men had higher DF intakes than females in both age groups, women had more fibre-dense diets. Adults aged ≥65 years had more fibre-dense diets than those aged 18–64 years. Current DF intakes are inadequate, with over 80% of both age groups not meeting the EFSA 25 g/d recommendation(3). DF is important for normal gastrointestinal function and inadequate intakes can lead to impaired bowel function and constipation.

The project was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food for Health Research Initiative.

References

1.Food Standards Agency (2002) McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods 6th ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.Google Scholar
2.Black, LJ, Ireland, J, Møller, A et al. (2010) J Food Compost Anal (In the Press) doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2011.01.015CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) (2010) Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre. EFSA J 8, 1462–1539.Google Scholar
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