The objectives of the present study were to measure DF and NSP intakes in Irish teenagers aged 13–17 years and the contribution of food groups to DF intake. Data from the National Teens' Food Survey (NTFS) was used for this purpose. The NTFS was carried out between September 2005 and 2006 to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption of a representative sample of Irish teenagers aged 13–17 years. A 7 d semi-weighed food record was used to collect food data from 441 teenagers (224 males; 217 females). Analysis of dietary intake data was carried out using WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Llanfechell, Anglesey, UK), which is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Sixth Edition (1).
Mean daily DF and NSP (g and g/10 MJ energy) intakes are reported. For both age-groups mean daily DF and NSP intakes were significantly (P<0.001) higher for males compared with females. Intakes increased across age-groups for both DF and NSP. However, there were no significant differences in fibre density as DF or NSP across age-groups or between genders.
Values were significantly higher than those for females in same age-group: *P<0.001.
The contribution of food groups (g and %) to mean daily DF intakes by age and gender are reported.
A significantly (P<0.001) higher percentage of females (13–14 years, 91; 15–17 years, 93) compared with males (13–14 years, 68; 15–17 years, 72) did not meet the American Health Foundation recommendation(Reference Williams, Bollella and Wynder2) of a DF intake (g) of ≥age +5.
The project was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000–2006.
