Preliminary nutritional assessment of the Ecuadorian diet based on a 24-h food recall survey in Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION Ecuador is a country with limited nutritional information, with exception of some general studies supported by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). AIMS To carry out a nutritional assessment of the Ecuadorian diet and determine the percentage of contribution to the intake of different nutrients according to the order of the meal (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner snack) and Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). METHODS For that purpose a pilot survey based on 24-h food recall method was carried out in three specific regions in Ecuador and collected information was processed, analyzed statistically and compared with DRIs established for Latin-American population. RESULTS The study found significant differences for energy and certain vitamins in men and women in addition to determining that the highest energy contribution was obtained in lunch, followed by the afternoon snack and breakfast. Intermediate meals (morning snack, afternoon snack and dinner snack) contributed significantly less in the daily diet in comparison with other types of meal. Furthermore, it was observed that analyzed intakes did not meet the DRI for Carbohydrates, some vitamins (Thiamin, Pantothenic, Biotin, Folate Vitamin D and Vitamin E) and minerals (Ca, K, Cu, Mn, I and Fe). The Na intakes were quite above the DRI and Tolerable Upper Limit given by USDA, indicating a Public Health problem in relation with this electrolyte. CONCLUSIONS The present pilot survey can be considered as a starting point to get insight into the Ecuadorian diet. This will allow to determine consumption patterns affecting population welfare and to evidence attendant positive and adverse effects.