Abstract

Author(s): López Torres, LP1; Navia, B2; Ortega, RM2

Introduction: Although the dietetic recommendations addressed to the prevention of illnesses, there are still differences between the advised guides and the real intake, possibly due to a misleading perception of the diet quality.

Objective: To know the perception of the diet quality of a group of adults and to compare it with the real quality of itself.

Material and methods: Dietetic and diet quality data were taken from 124 adults (18-50 years old). The population was divided in order for the diet to be perceived as inadequate (DIN), as regular (DRE), or as adequate (DBU).

Results: The diet quality perception correlated positively and meaningfully with the number of fruit portions (r=0,182; p<0,05), dietetic fiber intake (in g/day: r=0,199; p<0,05 and in g/1000kcal: r=0,254; p<0,01), vitamin C (r=0,250; p<0,01) folate equivalents (r=0,287; p<0,01), vitamin K (r=0,216; p<0,05), pantothenic acid (r=0,191; p<0,05) and magnesium (r=0,186; p<0,05), as well as the coverage on the recommended folate intakes (r=0,230; p<0,05), vitamin A (r=0,191; p<0,05), K (r=0,220; p<0,05), C (r=0,261; p<0,01) and with the HEI (r=0,268; p<0,01). And negatively correlated with meat, fish and egg intake (r=-0,181; p<0,05), the percentage of calories from the SFAs (r=-0,213; p=<0,05) and the cholesterol density (r=-0,203; p<0,05) in diet.

Discussion: When the recommended food groups and portions are not consumed, dietary imbalance is reflected in the profiles —caloric and lipid—, and inadequate intake of some micronutrients.

Conclusions: People that perceive their diet as good carry out a less inadequate diet, although not in every case, balanced diet guides are not met.