Evaluation of Vitamins A, C and E Content in Diets of Adolescents Living in Warsaw, Poland

Background: Antioxidant vitamins such as alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and beta-carotene (provitamin A), play a significant role in protecting the body from an excess of free radicals. The vitamin content of the diet is thus very important.

Objective: To assess whether the dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E is adequate in a selected group of adolescents living in Warsaw.

Material And Methods: The mean vitamin consumption was estimated using three-day dietary records whilst vitamin contents of selected foodstuffs were obtained from Food Composition Tables. Both were related to Polish nutrition standards applied to adolescents; i.e. EAR (Estimated Average Requirement) for vitamins A and C and AI (Adequate Intake) for vitamin E.

Results: Dietary vitamin C in adolescents and vitamin E in girls were around 18-25% lower than that recommended. Diets that were deficient in vitamins C and E were recorded in 47% to 67% adolescents.

Conclusions: It is therefore necessary to increase the consumption of vegetables and fruit which provide a valuable dietary source for these vitamins.