[Nutritional status with regard to calcium in Argentina]

Knowledge about calcium nutritional status in Argentina is scarce, due to the lack of systematic studies carried out in the country. For this reason, in the present report we have gathered information from data of food availability, nutritional surveys and the biochemical indicator Ca/Creatinine ratio in basal urine. All these data, jointly analyzed, allow certain extrapolations, based on which it is feasible to deduce conclusions as to the nutritional status in regard to such nutrient. Food availability data reveal an inadequate supply of calcium. On the other hand, the surveys, carried out for different purposes but with similar methodology, reveal a high percentage of deficient individuals, with reference to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of the NRC (800 mg/day for adults). The use of the Ca/Creatinine ratio, in basal urine, confirms the high prevalence of Ca nutritional deficiency. Therefore, in our population which has a high protein consumption, Ca requirements are better reflected by NRC's RDA than FAO's (400 mg/day). These results clearly show that Ca deficiency is a generalized nutritional problem in the country. The causes seem to be not dependent on socioeconomic level, but would be closely related to dietary imbalance derived from the alimentary habits common to the Argentine population.