Vitamin C consumption profile among elementary school children, Puerto Rico, 2008

There is little information regarding food practices of Puerto Rican children and information about the adequacy of their diet, particularly of vitamin C intake. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the diet, particularly in terms of vitamin C content, of a representative sample of children from private and public elementary (first to sixth grade) schools in Cayey, Puerto Rico. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used (n=251). Information was collected using a personal interview of the child, a 24-hour recall, and by taking physical measurements (weight, height). Chi-square and Fisher tests were used to compare proportions. Means were compared using ANOVA and T-tests. Half of the students were male (51%); mean age was 9±2 years. About 28% of students did not reach dietary recommendations (RDI's) for vitamin C, with an average intake of 164±468 mg (median=79 mg). More girls (79%) than boys (64%) reached RDI's, with a higher average intake (186 vs. 143 mg). Younger students (≤8 y/o) reached RDI's better than those >8 y/o (77% vs. 69%). However, average intake was lower among younger students (96 vs. 196 mg). More children with healthy weight (74%) reached RDI's than overweight or at risk of overweight students (67%). The lowest average intake was reported among overweight children. Vitamin C intake considerably exceeds RDI's, which could be associated to a high intake of vitamin-added fruit beverages. Funding: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the PR Health Services Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico.