Adequacy of energy and macronutrients intake in differently active slovenian adolescents

Objective: Evaluate the adequacy of energy/macronutrient intake in adolescents according to the Slovenian national recommendations adopted from the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society and to identify differences in energy/macronutrient intake between differently active adolescents.

Methods: Data on energy and macronutrient intake (24-hour dietary recall), physical activity (SHAPES questionnaire), and anthropometric characteristics (body mass and height) of adolescents were obtained on a representative sample of first-year secondary school students (average (SD) age: 15.3 (0.5) years; N = 341), who were included in the national survey The Analysis of Children's Development in Slovenia (ACDSi) in 2013/14.

Results: 75% of adolescents met the national recommendations for carbohydrates and proteins and 44% for fats, whereas only 10% of adolescents met the recommendations for energy intake. Energy/macronutrient intakes were significantly higher in vigorously physically active (VPA) boys compared to moderately (MPA) and less (LPA) physically active boys. No such differences were observed between girls of different physical activity levels.

Conclusion: Adolescents need to be encouraged to meet their energy needs according to gender and physical activity (especially VPA girls) and to reach for higher quality foods in adequate macronutrient proportions.

Comments：

Based on the results of the study, it appears that a significant proportion of Slovenian adolescents are not meeting the national recommendations for energy and macronutrient intake. Specifically, only 10% of adolescents were meeting the recommendations for energy intake, while 44% were meeting the recommendations for fat intake and 75% were meeting the recommendations for carbohydrate and protein intake.

The study also found that there were differences in energy/macronutrient intake between boys of different physical activity levels. VPA boys had higher energy and macronutrient intakes compared to MPA and LPA boys. However, no such differences were observed between girls of different physical activity levels.

The findings suggest that there is a need for interventions to encourage adolescents to meet their energy needs, particularly for girls who engage in VPA. Additionally, efforts should be made to promote the consumption of high-quality foods in appropriate macronutrient proportions. Such interventions may include nutrition education programs that target adolescents and their families, as well as policies aimed at promoting healthy food environments in schools and other settings where adolescents spend their time.

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