Apparent nutrient intakes of Canadians: continuing nutritional challenges for public health professionals

The apparent nutrient intake patterns of 4774 households in 15 urban areas across Canada were analyzed using the first public use data tape of Statistics Canada's Family Food Expenditure Survey of 1984. This study addresses the paucity of population-based information about the nutritional adequacy of Canadian eating patterns. Considerable nutrient deficits were identified. The particularly vulnerable population groups were the poor, female-headed households, and male-headed households with spouses working outside the home or with no spouses. Controlling for income, senior households were less vulnerable.