The current dietary practice of Hong Kong adolescents

In Hong Kong, blood lipid profiles of adults and children are comparable to the western industrialized nations. The age on-set of ischemic heart disease in Hong Kong is gradually declining to occur in younger adults. Dietary practices of adolescents influence food habits later in life. However, published data on current dietary intakes of Hong Kong adolescents are scanty. This paper reports a dietary survey of current food habits in 179 12-year-old adolescents using a food frequency questionnaire. The mean ± SD intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, calcium, iron, vitamin C and fibre were 2164± 766 kcal,107 ± 44g,71±33 g,274± 91g, 481± 246 mg, 643± 252 mg, 16± 6mg, 78± 41 mg and 3.5± 2g, respectively. The percentages of energy derived from protein, fat, carbohydrate, polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats and saturated fats were 19.7%, 28.8%, 51.5%, 4.4%, 11.5% and 10.4%, respectively, whereas the P/S ratio was 0.43. Protein intake was 2.5 times higher than the FAO/WHO/UNU RDAs, animal protein was the predominant source of protein; meat was the principal source of fat intake (45%), over 61 % of the individuals had saturated fat intake greater than 10% (% energy); mean cholesterol intake was 481 mg/d and 79% of the individuals had cholesterol intake above 300 mg/d. Low fibre intake was related to low intake of unrefined grains, vegetables and fruits. A high intake of animal products, cholesterol, a low P/S ratio and low consumption of unrefined grains, vegetables and fruits might be detrimental to a healthy heart. The increasing frequency of eating out at restaurants and fast-food outlets and relatively fewer meals being prepared and eaten at home is a growing concern for maintaining a healthy diet. Immediate action has to be taken to evaluate the current dietary practices of the population to establish appropriate healthy eating policy and guidelines in order to prevent the future risks of developing diet-related chronic diseases.