Food consumption and nutrient intake in Italian school children: results of the ZOOM8 study

Abstract

The food consumption and food habits of Italian third-class-primary-school children were assessed and their energy and nutrient intakes were compared with requirements. The study involved 1740 subjects (900 males and 840 females) aged 8–9 years, from the north, centre and south of Italy. Body weight and height were measured. Parents filled in a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for their child. The results showed that the diet of Italian children is unbalanced in terms of macronutrients and deficient in fiber. The average daily intakes of fruit (234 g/d), vegetables (134 g/d) and legumes (17 g/d), were lower than the nationally recommended ones. The percentages of energy intake from fats (41%) and from carbohydrates (45%) were higher and lower respectively than recommended. Low intakes of fiber (13.5 g/d) were reported. A national nutrition policy in Italy should focus on nutrition education programs in schools and for parents.

• Energy intake
• food consumption
• nutrient
• school children

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Angela Spinelli, Giovanni Baglio, Anna Lamberti, Paola Nardone, Nancy Binkin of the National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion of the National Institute of Health, Amleto D’Amicis, Veronica Angelini, Noemi Bevilacqua, Irene Fabbri, Myriam Galfo of the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition, Daniela Galeone, Maria Teresa Menzano, Maria Teresa Scotti of the Ministry of Health and Maria Teresa Silani, Silvana Teti of the Regional Health Authority of Lazio, Paolo D’Argenio of the Regional Health Authority of Campania for their support and critical input.

We also wish to thank the members of the Technical Committee, including Giovanni Baglio, Giulia Cairella, Margherita Caroli, Marcello Caputo, Chiara Cattaneo, Franco Cavallo, Amalia De Luca, Barbara De Mei, Daniela Galeone, Giordano Giostra, Anna Lamberti, Gianfranco Mazzarella, Paola Nardone, Giuseppe Perri, Maria Teresa Silani, Anna Rita Silvestri, Angela Spinelli, Lorenzo Spizzichino, as well as the many regional coordinators including Giuseppina Fersini and Marina La Rocca (Calabria), Adriano Cattaneo, Paola D’Acapito (Friuli Venezia Giulia), Giulia Cairella and Esmeralda Castronuovo (Lazio), Federica Pascali (Liguria), Giordano Giostra (Marche), Achille Cernigliaro and Simonetta Rizzo (Sicilia).

Finally, we thank the many healthcare workers, teachers and families throughout the country who participated in this study.