Abstract

ALEGRIA-LERTXUNDI, Iker et al. Relationship between the ratio of fish to meat consumption and diet adequacy and quality in university young women. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.5, pp.1135-1143. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2014.30.5.7749.

Introduction: In Western populations fish consumption is lower than meat consumption and this fact can influence on the total diet quality. Objective: Verify if the relationship between the ratio of fish to meat consumption and diet adequacy and quality in a group of women university students. Participants and methods: 47 women of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) took part in this study; the mean age was 19.6+/-1.2 years. Dietary intake was evaluated with a food frequency questionnaire validated. From quantitative data on food, energy and nutrients intake were estimated by CESNID software. Two diet quality indices were also calculated: the ratio of fish to meat consumption and the Healthy Eating Index for Spanish diet (HEISD). Statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS 21.0 software package. Results: The ratio of fish to meat was 0.4 and the majority of the participants (91.5%) eaten more meat than fish. The university students with a high intake of fish were eating more fruit and less sweets. The ratio fish/ meat was associated positively with the scores of some components of the HEISD and with the intake of some nutrients: proteins, niacin, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, E, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B₁₂ and C. Conclusion: A higher consumption of fish than meat was associated with a better dietary profile in the consumption of some foods and nutrients, in the sample studied.

Keywords : Fish; Meat; Diet; Women; Young adult.

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