Evaluation of vitamins A, C and E content in diets of adolescents living in Warsaw, Poland.

BACKGROUND Antioxidant vitamins such as alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and beta-carotene (provitamin A), play a significant role in protecting the body from an excess of free radicals. The vitamin content of the diet is thus very important. OBJECTIVE To assess whether the dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E is adequate in a selected group of adolescents living in Warsaw. MATERIAL AND METHODS The mean vitamin consumption was estimated using three-day dietary records whilst vitamin contents of selected foodstuffs were obtained from Food Composition Tables. Both were related to Polish nutrition standards applied to adolescents; i.e. EAR (Estimated Average Requirement) for vitamins A and C and AI (Adequate Intake) for vitamin E. RESULTS Dietary vitamin C in adolescents and vitamin E in girls were around 18-25% lower than that recommended. Diets that were deficient in vitamins C and E were recorded in 47% to 67% adolescents. CONCLUSIONS It is therefore necessary to increase the consumption of vegetables and fruit which provide a valuable dietary source for these vitamins.