Dietary Intakes of Trans Fatty Acids in a Sample of Egyptian Children aged 2-12 years

Authors

1 Pediatric Department, National Nutrition Institute (NNI), Egypt

2 Pediatric Department, National Nutrition Institute (NNI), Egypt.

3 Public Health and Community Medicine, Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University.

Abstract

Tans Fatty acids (TFA) have been used in food manufacturing as they increase the shelf life of products. Studies show that industrial TFA is associated with the risk of heart disease, increased BMI, and waist circumference. WHO recommends less than 1% of energy intake from TFA in adults and children. Aim: to determine the type, sources, and amount of TFA consumed by Egyptian children. Also, estimate the TFA intake as a percent of total calories per day. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among some Egyptian children attending a pediatric outpatient clinic at the National Nutrition Institute in Egypt. The data was collected from January to June 2023. A consecutive sample of 200 children was subjected to Physical examinations, Anthropometric measurements, and Assessments of nutritional intake.  Parents filled out a questionnaire about their socioeconomic status. Results: the age was 2-12 years with mean ± SD 7± 3.1 years, the majority was boys 54.4%. The total TFA consumed was industrial TFA 62.6% and the source was mainly fast food 87.3%. The natural TFA intake was from red meat at 57.8%, and cheese at 30.12%. Less than 1% of energy intake was from TFA in 95.5% of the studied children. A significant positive correlation between the intake of natural TFA and the age, weight, and height of studied children p < 0.05. Conclusion: Industrial TFA intake is high in the form of fast food and snacks. The government should reinforce nutrition labeling and direct health education to reduce TFA in food.

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