Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS)
Abstract Background The Iranian population faces a dual burden of overconsumption and nutrient insufficiency. Considering recent socioeconomic changes due to severe sanctions and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, this research aimed to assess the energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes of...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01022-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849764688046325760 |
|---|---|
| author | Najmeh Seifi Nasrin Talkhi Zahra Khorasanchi Sara Saffar Soflaei Seyyed Reza Sobhani Zahra Abdollahi Ali Mottaghi Moghaddam Shahri Maryam Mohammadi-BajgIran Gordon A. Ferns Habibollah Esmaily Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan |
| author_facet | Najmeh Seifi Nasrin Talkhi Zahra Khorasanchi Sara Saffar Soflaei Seyyed Reza Sobhani Zahra Abdollahi Ali Mottaghi Moghaddam Shahri Maryam Mohammadi-BajgIran Gordon A. Ferns Habibollah Esmaily Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan |
| author_sort | Najmeh Seifi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Iranian population faces a dual burden of overconsumption and nutrient insufficiency. Considering recent socioeconomic changes due to severe sanctions and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, this research aimed to assess the energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes of Iranian adults (19–60 years) and elderly individuals (> 60 years), based on the Food and Drug Administration dietary intake recommendations, through a survey. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from 2021 to 2022. The study included 1697 adults aged over18 years, selected from 11 geographical zones of Iran based on socio-economic and geographic similarities. All participants underwent dietary assessment using a validated 65-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Macronutrient and micronutrient intakes were compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The Dietary Quality Index- International (DQI-I) was also calculated. Results In the adults aged 19–60 years, the mean usual energy intake was 2,321.64 ± 33.16 kcal/day. Carbohydrates, fat, and protein constituted 50.4%, 38.3%, and 13.45% of total energy intake, respectively. About 64.0% of women and 78.0% of men consumed fiber in amounts lower than recommended. The percentage of insufficiency was approximately 100% for retinol and vitamin D in both genders. Insufficient folate intake was 90.1% in women and 89.9% in men (p = 0.038). Excess sodium intake was more prevalent in men (p = 0.003). In the elderly (> 60 years), the mean usual energy intake was 1,987 kcal/day. Carbohydrates, fat, and protein constituted 52.98%, 35.88%, and 13.9% of total energy intake, respectively. The percentage of insufficiency for vitamin D, retinol, folate, selenium, and potassium intake was high (more than 80%) in both genders. Zinc insufficiency and excess sodium intake were significantly more prevalent in men. Conclusions This study indicated that carbohydrate and protein intakes were within the recommended ranges, while fat consumption was elevated in both adults and the elderly. Widespread micronutrient insufficiencies- especially in retinol, folate, vitamin D, potassium, and selenium- were evident across both genders and age groups. Excessive sodium consumption was more prevalent in men, along with a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency. These findings highlight the need for targeted dietary interventions to address nutritional gaps and promote healthier eating habits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e77d926f9f134d70b0fbc2a061807699 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-e77d926f9f134d70b0fbc2a0618076992025-08-20T03:05:04ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-07-0144111210.1186/s41043-025-01022-xDietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS)Najmeh Seifi0Nasrin Talkhi1Zahra Khorasanchi2Sara Saffar Soflaei3Seyyed Reza Sobhani4Zahra Abdollahi5Ali Mottaghi Moghaddam Shahri6Maryam Mohammadi-BajgIran7Gordon A. Ferns8Habibollah Esmaily9Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan10International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesInternational UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesOffice of Nutrition Department Society, Health MinistryInternational UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesInternational UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDivision of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical SchoolDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesInternational UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background The Iranian population faces a dual burden of overconsumption and nutrient insufficiency. Considering recent socioeconomic changes due to severe sanctions and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, this research aimed to assess the energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes of Iranian adults (19–60 years) and elderly individuals (> 60 years), based on the Food and Drug Administration dietary intake recommendations, through a survey. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from 2021 to 2022. The study included 1697 adults aged over18 years, selected from 11 geographical zones of Iran based on socio-economic and geographic similarities. All participants underwent dietary assessment using a validated 65-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Macronutrient and micronutrient intakes were compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The Dietary Quality Index- International (DQI-I) was also calculated. Results In the adults aged 19–60 years, the mean usual energy intake was 2,321.64 ± 33.16 kcal/day. Carbohydrates, fat, and protein constituted 50.4%, 38.3%, and 13.45% of total energy intake, respectively. About 64.0% of women and 78.0% of men consumed fiber in amounts lower than recommended. The percentage of insufficiency was approximately 100% for retinol and vitamin D in both genders. Insufficient folate intake was 90.1% in women and 89.9% in men (p = 0.038). Excess sodium intake was more prevalent in men (p = 0.003). In the elderly (> 60 years), the mean usual energy intake was 1,987 kcal/day. Carbohydrates, fat, and protein constituted 52.98%, 35.88%, and 13.9% of total energy intake, respectively. The percentage of insufficiency for vitamin D, retinol, folate, selenium, and potassium intake was high (more than 80%) in both genders. Zinc insufficiency and excess sodium intake were significantly more prevalent in men. Conclusions This study indicated that carbohydrate and protein intakes were within the recommended ranges, while fat consumption was elevated in both adults and the elderly. Widespread micronutrient insufficiencies- especially in retinol, folate, vitamin D, potassium, and selenium- were evident across both genders and age groups. Excessive sodium consumption was more prevalent in men, along with a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency. These findings highlight the need for targeted dietary interventions to address nutritional gaps and promote healthier eating habits.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01022-xNutritional statusNutrition surveyDietary reference intakesDRIDietary habits |
| spellingShingle | Najmeh Seifi Nasrin Talkhi Zahra Khorasanchi Sara Saffar Soflaei Seyyed Reza Sobhani Zahra Abdollahi Ali Mottaghi Moghaddam Shahri Maryam Mohammadi-BajgIran Gordon A. Ferns Habibollah Esmaily Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Nutritional status Nutrition survey Dietary reference intakes DRI Dietary habits |
| title | Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) |
| title_full | Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) |
| title_fullStr | Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) |
| title_short | Dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an Iranian adult population: the results of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS) |
| title_sort | dietary intakes in relation to nutrition recommendations and dietary quality in an iranian adult population the results of the food and nutrition surveillance fns |
| topic | Nutritional status Nutrition survey Dietary reference intakes DRI Dietary habits |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01022-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT najmehseifi dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT nasrintalkhi dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT zahrakhorasanchi dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT sarasaffarsoflaei dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT seyyedrezasobhani dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT zahraabdollahi dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT alimottaghimoghaddamshahri dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT maryammohammadibajgiran dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT gordonaferns dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT habibollahesmaily dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns AT majidghayourmobarhan dietaryintakesinrelationtonutritionrecommendationsanddietaryqualityinaniranianadultpopulationtheresultsofthefoodandnutritionsurveillancefns |