Nutritional status and food consumption in 10-11 year old Dutch boys (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System)

As part of the Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System, cardiovascular risk factors and food consumption (24 h recall) as well as haematological, Fe and vitamin status (A, B6, C) were assessed in 126 Dutch boys aged 10-11 years (response 71%). Body mass index (BMI) and the sum of four skinfolds were strongly associated (r 0.85, P less than 0.01) and 8% of the boys were overweight (BMI greater than 20.1 kg/m2). Elevated serum total cholesterol levels (greater than 4.4 mmol/l) were observed in 38%; total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were strongly associated (r 0.88, P less than 0.001). Intake of fat was high (38% of energy) and too much fat was saturated (polyunsaturated: saturated 0.44, guideline: 0.5-1.0), whereas intake of carbohydrate (49% of energy) and dietary fibre was low. About 12% of the boys had insufficient Fe stores (plasma ferritin less than 12.0 micrograms/l) and the mean Fe intake (9.0 mg/d) was below recommended daily allowance (10.0 mg/d). Plasma ferritin was, however, not associated with haematological indices and no frank anaemias were observed. No marginal values were observed for vitamins A, B6 and C status. In conclusion, the main nutritional risks in boys aged 10-11 years are cardiovascular risk factors and Fe nutrition.