Introduction:

Mineral calcium is essential for bone health throughout life. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of inadequate calcium intake in adults from the Valencian Community.

Material and Methods:

The Autonomous Community of Valencia Nutrition Survey 2010-2011, a cross-sectional population study, was used as the data source, which collected data on calcium intake using one 24-h recall. The final sample was 1,206 (597 men and 609 women) subjects older than 18 years.

Results:

An average calcium intake of 741.4mg/person/day (SD=334.9), 757.8mg/person/day (SD=350.0) in men and 725.3mg/person/day (SD=319.0) in women was estimated. The results of insufficient intake obtained according to the levels of the estimated average requirements were 70.6% (95%CI:68.0-73.2), 75.4% higher in women (95%CI:72.0-78.2) than in men 65.7% (95%CI:61.9-69.5). The prevalence was 83.8% (95%CI:81.7-85.9) for the recommended dietary allowances and the differences by sex were significant (p<0,05). The estimated prevalence was highest by age group in those older than 70 years in both cases, 85.5% (95%CI:80.0-91.0) and 94.3% (95%CI:90.7-97,9) respectively.

Conclusions:

There is evidence of a high prevalence of inadequate calcium intake in adult population from the Autonomous Community of Valencia. Studies should be carried out to evaluate the influence of these findings on related pathologies (osteoporosis, osteoporotic fracture).

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