Research in Medicine

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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine dietary diversity and its relation to dietary adequacy in 10-18 year old adolescents of district 13 of Tehran in 1999-2001. Materials and methods: Dietary intake assessment was undertaken with 2-day 24-hour recall by expert interviewers in 1476 individuals participating in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Having excluded the under and over-reporters, 304 cases, aged 10-18 year old, remained in this study. The dietary diversity score was calculated as part of the pyramid serving database that categorized into 23 broad food groups. Each of the 5 broad food categories received a maximum diversity score of 2 of the 10 possible score points. To be counted as a "consumer" for any of the food group categories, a respondent needed to consume one-half serving, as defined by Food Guide Pyramid quantity criteria, at any time during the 2-day survey period. The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for a given nutrient is the ratio of a subject's intake to the current recommended allowance for the subject's sex and age category. Weight and Height were determined by using a digital electronic weighing scale and tape meter, according to standard protocols of measurements. Then BMI was calculated. Student's t-test was used to compare the means. Those variables with normal distribution were tested by Pearson correlation coefficient and the others were tested by Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Dietary diversity score (DDS) was 6.261.08 in this study. The maximum and minimum of diversity was related to fruit (1.460.61) and bread-grain (0.950.27) groups, respectively. Positive and significant correlation was observed between DDS and NAR (r=0.42, P<0.001). Fifty percent of people had DDS of >6, and in them, BMI was higher than those with a DDS of <6, (19.814.07 vs 18.953.30 Kg/m2, P<0.01). There was significant and positive correlation between DDS and most NARs. Conclusion: Calculation of DDS is an appropriate method to evaluate nutrient intake adequacy. As evidence on diet and health accumulates, it becomes clearer that although individual nutrients are important, they work most effectively in the context of a complex dietary pattern that includes a balance of nutrients from a variety of healthful foods.

Keywords: Dietary diversity, Dietary adequacy, Teenager.

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