Abstract
We report the dietary intake of selected nutrients in apparently healthy
adults and children and its correlation with circulating levels of serum
leptin and resistin. In this observational study, 47 Saudi children
(mean age 13.1 +/- 2.8 year) and 47 adults (mean age 45.7 +/- 10.5 year)
were recruited. Anthropometric data and lipid profile were obtained.
Food intake was assessed by a food questionnaire and a 24-hour diet
recall method. The dietary intake of selected nutrients was compared
with the estimated average requirement (EAR) or adequate intake (Al) for
establishing nutritional status. Results demonstrated that the levels of
choline and calcium intake were significantly lower than the EAR in
adults (p= 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) and relatively low in children.
The level of manganese in adults was significantly higher (p= 0.02) than
their AT level. The increasing levels of dietary vitamin B6 and B12 were
associated with a significant increase in serum concentrations of leptin
in adults and children (p=0.02). Overall, the dietary intakes of
selected nutrients in Saudi adults and children were not adequate with
most of them below cut-off EAR values except for essential amino acids.