Prevalencia de ingesta inadecuada de micronutrientes en la población urbana de Costa Rica

La inadecuacion de micronutrientes es frecuente en los paises en vias de desarrollo. En Costa Rica existe poca informacion acerca de la ingesta de micronutrientes y del impacto de los programas de fortificacion obligatoria de alimentos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la ingesta de vitaminas y minerales y el aporte de la fortificacion de alimentos a la ingesta total de micronutrientes en la poblacion urbana costarricense. Se analizo el consumo de alimentos en una muestra de la poblacion urbana costarricense, participantes del Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutricion y Salud (ELANS). El riesgo de ingesta inadecuada se estimo segun sexo y grupo de edad, utilizando el metodo de punto de corte del Requerimiento Medio Estimado (EAR). Para el hierro, se utilizo el metodo de aproximacion probabilistica. Mas del 85% de la muestra presento riesgo de ingesta inadecuada para vitamina E, calcio y vitamina D. Una menor prevalencia de riesgo de ingesta inadecuada se presento para la niacina, tiamina, folatos, hierro y selenio. La fortificacion de alimentos tiene un efecto notorio en la ingesta de micronutrientes, especialmente de hierro, niacina, tiamina y folatos. La ingesta de calcio, vitamina D y vitamina E es preocupantemente inadecuada, siendo las mujeres y las personas mayores de 50 anos los grupos mas afectados. Resulta fundamental el establecimiento de programas y politicas publicas para asegurar el cumplimiento del requerimiento establecido para los diferentes micronutrientes. Micronutrient deficiencies are still very common in developing countries. In Costa Rica there is little information on micronutrients intake and the impact of food fortification.This study aimed to determine the contribution of food fortification to the total intake, and to estimate the risk of inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals in an urban Costa Rican population. As a part of the Latin American Nutrition and Health Study, we analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 798 urban residents from Costa Rica (15-65 years old) whom provided two 24-h dietary recalls. The prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake was estimated according to the EAR cut-point method. Iron was analyze using the probability approach. We observed a 100% of the sample are at risk of inadequate intake of vitamin D, and similar percentages were obtained for calcium and vitamin E, ranging from 92.9 to 100% and 85.5 to 99.2% respectively. A lower risk of inadequate intake was observed for niacin, thiamin, folate, iron and selenium. Food fortificationmakes an important contribution to folate, thiamin, iron and niacin intake. Despite the efforts that have been made to ensure adequate micronutrient intake in Costa Rica, the intake of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E is still very low, especially among women and people over 50 are the most affected. Based on the above, it is recommended to promote a healthy diet through nutritional education as part of public health policies, in order to facilitates compliance to nutritional requirement.