Nutrient patterns and nutritional adequacy among French-Canadian children in Montreal.

A representative sample of French Canadian Montrealers was surveyed to compile data on food habits, nutrient intakes and sociodemographic characteristics, using interviewer-administered questionnaires and 7-day food records (7D-FR).Complete 7D-FR and sociodemographic data were obtained from 614 adults aged 19 and over (40.1% males), and 182 children aged 5 to 18 (44.8% males). Average heights and weights of children were at the 50th percentile for both sexes and all age groups. Nutrient intakes surpassed most of the age- and sex-specific 1990 Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). Energy intakes were 83% to 98% of the RNIs, with 16-18 year old adolescent girls having systematically lower energy consumption. Calcium was most frequently found below the 66% age-sex specific RNI cut-off. On average, protein comprised 16% of energy, fat 36-37%, and carbohydrates 48-49%, for males and females, respectively. Simple sugars comprised 16-19% of energy among boys, and 16-20% among girls, fluctuating with age....