Nutrition problems of adults
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Adults
The CCHS (Canadian Community Health Survey) findings for adults are generally similar to those for children and adolescents: for many adults, energy in exceeds energy out; intake of some vitamins and minerals is inadequate; and sodium intake is high enough to cause health concerns
Inadequate intakes of Magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D
- Majority of adults consumed micronutrients in adequate amounts. Data on inadequate vitamin D consumption should be interpreted with caution
- The inadequate intake of calcium is likely related to not consuming enough milk and alternatives
- About 80 per cent of adults aged 71+ had lower intakes of that food group than recommended
- More than half of adults in younger age groups consumed fewer servings of milk and alternatives than recommended
Canadian adults generally consumed more sodium than recommended
- The amount of sodium that adults consumed may be a health risk: 78 per cent of adults consumed more sodium than the UL. This is cause for concern because it is associated with increased risk of chronic health issues such as high blood pressure
- High sodium intake may be partly attributable to eating snack foods and foods not part of the four food groups
Canadian adults not consuming enough fiber
- Some adults had lower than recommended intakes of vegetables, fruits, and grain products, which may lead to low fiber intake
- More than half of women aged 19-50 and 71 or older did not eat the recommended minimum number of servings of vegetables and fruits a day. Among men, about two-fifths of those aged 19-70 and half of those aged 71 or older did not eat the recommended minimum number of servings of vegetables and fruits
- Over half of women aged 31 and older did not consume the recommended minimum number of grain products. Over half of men aged 31 and older did not consume the recommended minimum number of grain products