


































Food Science and Nutrition Studies 

ISSN 2573-1661 (Print) ISSN 2573-167X (Online) 

Vol. 1, No. 2, 2017 

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87 
 

Food Quality and Nutritional Profile of Students from a Public 

School in Brazil 

Loriana L. Teixeira1, Estelamar MB Teixeira1*, Helen Mara Gomes1 & Lucas Arantes-Pereira1 

1 Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro-IFTM, Uberaba-MG, 

Brazil 

* Estelamar MB Teixeira, E-mail: estelamar@iftm.edu.br 

 

Received: September 13, 2017   Accepted: September 26, 2017   Online Published: October 4, 2017 

doi:10.22158/fsns.v1n2p87        URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/fsns.v1n2p87 

 

Abstract 

Feeding is directly related to nutritional status and alterations as obesity and malnutrition, affecting 

human body and increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the 

nutritional status of children and adolescents in a public school located in Uberaba MG Brazil by 

comparing macro and micronutrients on the school menu with PNAE (Brazilian government program) 

recommendations. A descriptive cross-sectional study including 547 individuals was carried out. 

Nutritional assessment was done based on anthropometric Z-score analysis. Only the food ingestion 

made at the school was considered, in order to verify if the meals offered by the school meet the 

percentage of nutrients recommended by PNAE. With regard to the nutritional status, there was a small 

proportion of students (0.18%) with low weight (-3 ≥ Z < -2). There was 15% prevalence of overweight 

(overweight, obesity, and severe obesity) among students. Menus composition revealed that 

macronutrients, fiber, and energy intake was lower than that recommended by PNAE for all age groups 

studied. The prevalence of a considerable number of overweight students is a warning for interventions 

to prevent obesity. A small percentage of students classified as low weight represents a nutritional 

transition trend in recent years. 

Keywords 

school meals, nutritional status, nutritional education 

 

1. Introduction 

Overweight and obesity among school children (aged five to nine years) and adolescents almost tripled 

in the last 20 years, reaching one-fifth of children and one-third of teens (Brazilian Institute of 

Geography and Statistics, 2010). Food consumption is related to obesity, including not only the volume 

of food intake but also the quality of diet (Triches & Giugliani, 2005). 

In this context, public health policies work as a tool for governments around the world to reverse the 



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epidemiological situation (Silva, 2010). School Health Programs aim at development of promotion, 

prevention, and health care in the school environment, besides monitoring the nutritional status of 

students (Ministry of Health, 2009). At school, children can try other foods and new preparations, and 

change eating habits (Fisberg et al., 2000). 

In this context, the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE) has proposed to meet the 

nutritional needs of students during their stay in school to contribute to food security and nutrition 

(Ministry of Education, 2006). 

Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children and adolescents (aged 

7-16 years) in a state school in Uberaba MG-Brazil; to compare macro and micronutrients in school 

menu and the recommendations by PNAE. 

 

2. Method 

2.1 Population  

This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study including children and adolescents. Data were 

collected during the school year of 2014 and first half of 2015. The school Director was asked to select 

all students enrolled in the afternoon shift. Five hundred and forty-seven (547) students of the State 

school, of both sexes aged 7 to 16 years were assessed. 

In this research, only the food ingestion made at the school was considered, in order to verify if the 

meals offered by the school meet the percentage of nutrients recommended by the PNAE. 

The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Universidade Federal do 

Triângulo Mineiro-Brazil, register number 877.724 and the inclusion of students in the study occurred 

only after obtaining the Term of Consent signed by parents or guardians. 

2.2 Identification Questionnaire 

A structured questionnaire was used to assess the name, sex, and birth date of the participants according 

to the school enrollment registers. Age was calculated as the difference between anthropometric 

measurement and birth dates. 

2.3 Nutritional Status 

To calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) and characterize the nutritional status, an anthropometric 

evaluation from measurements of weight (kg) and height (m) was performed. 

The weight measurements were carried out in a platform electronic scale (Filizola), with 300 kg 

capacity and height measurements were done using an inelastic tape measuring 1.5 m length, fixed to 

the wall at 1 meter from the floor. For the experiment, individuals dressed light clothes and did not 

wear shoes. Individuals were classified according to Body Mass Index (BMI). Body Mass Index (BMI) 

was calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height squared (m2).  

The Z score is considered an effective method to study population, since age and gender factors are 

taken into account (World Health Organization, 2007). Z score is given by the ratio of the difference 

between the value measured at the individual and the value of the reference population, divided by the 



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standard deviation of the same population (Ministry of Health, 2011), according to the following 

equation: 

populationreferenceofdeviationdards

populationreferenceofaveragevalueobserved
Zscore

tan


  

Anthropometric indexes used to assess the nutritional status of students aged 6-10 years were weight 

for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), and BMI for age (BMI/A) measured as Z scores. Height for age 

(H/A) and BMI for age (BMI/A) measured as Z scores were used to evaluate the nutritional status of 

students aged 11-17 years. 

The classification criterion used was the recommended by WHO, and adopted by the Brazilian Ministry 

of Health (Ministry of Health, 2011), as shown in Tables 1 and 2. 

 

Table 1. Nutritional Status of Children Aged 5-10 Years for Each Anthropometric Index 

Critical values 
Anthropometric index 

Weight for age Height for age BMI for age 

< Z score -3 Severely underweight Severely stunted Severely wasted  

≥ Z score Z -3 < Z score -2 Underweight Wasted Wasted 

≥ Z score -2 e < score -1 Adequate weight for age Adequate height for age 
Eutrophia 

≥Z score -1 ≤ Z score +1 

>Z score +1 ≤ Z score +2 Overweight 

> Z score +2 ≤Z score +3 
High weight for age 

Obesity 

> Z score +3 Severly obesity  

Source: Adapted from Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health, 2011). 

 

Table 2. Nutritional Status of Adolescents for Each Anthropometric Index 

Critical values 
Anthropometric index 

Height for age BMI for age 

< Z score -3 Severly stunted Severly wasted 

≥ Z score -3 e < Z score -2 Stunted Wasted 

≥ Z score -2 e < Z score -1 Adequate height for age 
Eutrophia 

≥ Z score -1 e ≤ Z score +1 

> Z score +1 e ≤ Z score +2 Overweight 

> Z score +2 e ≤ Z score +3 Obesity 

> Z score +3 Severe obesity  

Source: Adapted from Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health, 2011). 

 

 



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2.4 Nutrition Analysis of School Meals  

Weekly menus of the full month of June, 2015 were studied. French bread was served in the morning 

throughout the research period, together with chocolate milk or mate tea. Menus for lunch and 

afternoon snack were prepared for five weeks, returning to the beginning of the menu after the fifth 

week. 

DietWin® software was used to calculate the nutrients and energy consumed by students in school 

meals, after updating the information about nutrients and portion sizes and registering receipts. For 

registration of recipes not included in the software, a food composition table developed by the Center 

for Studies and Research in Food-NEPA, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-Unicamp (UNICAMP, 

2011) was used. 

Energy, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals 

(calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc) intake was investigated, as suggested by PNAE. 

The analyses on nutrient intake according to students’ needs were carried out using the values set by 

PNAE as a reference. Table 3 shows the PNAE recommendations for students according to age group. 

 

Table 3. Reference Values for Energy and Nutrients, According to Age Group, Established by the 

National School Feeding Program (PNAE) to Meet 70% of the Daily Nutritional Needs  

Energy and Nutrients 
Age group 

06 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 18 

Energy (kcal) 1000 1500 1700 

Carbohydrate (g) 162.5 243.8 276.3 

Protein (g) 31.2 46.9 50.0 

Lipids (g) 25.0 37.5 42.5 

Fiber (g) 18.7 21.1 22.4 

Vitamin A (µg) 350.0 490.0 560.0 

Vitamin C (mg) 26.0 42.0 49.0 

Ca (mg) 735.0 910.0 910.0 

Fe (mg) 6.3 7.5 9.1 

Mg (mg) 131.0 222.0 271.0 

Zn (mg) 4.7 6.3 7.0 

Source: National School Feeding Program-PNAE (Ministry of Education, 2013). 

 

2.5 Statistical Analysis 

Data to assess the nutritional status were processed in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 software; the 

DietWin® software was used to calculate macro and micro nutrients in school meals. 

 



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3. Result 

3.1 Nutritional Status 

The results for the nutritional status of the students (n = 547), based on the body mass index Z scores 

are shown in Table 4. There was a prevalence of 10.9% overweight (≥ 1 Z < 2) and 3.2% obesity (≥2 Z 

≤ 3) among students. A percentile of 0.9% students was classified with severe obesity (Z > 3), while 

0.18% students were classified with low weight index (≥ -3 Z <-2). 

 

Table 4. Distribution of Students According to Age and Nutritional Status (Based on BMI Z 

Scores) 

Age 

(years) 
Gender n % 

Low weight Eutrophia Overweight Obesity Severe obesity 

≥ -3 Z < -2 ≥ -2 Z < 1 ≥ 1 Z < 2 ≥ 2 Z ≤ 3 Z > 3 

N % N % n % n % N % 

< 9 

Male 20 3.5 0 0.00 18 3.30 1 0.18 1 0.18 0 0.00 

Female 111 20.3 1 0.18 97 17.7 8 1.50 5 0.90 0 0.00 

9 I- 11 

Male 28 5.1 0 0.00 26 4.70 1 0.18 0 0.00 1 0.18 

Female 114 20.8 0 0.00 89 16.2 18 3.30 6 1.10 1 0.18 

11 I- 13 

Male 36 6.6 0 0.00 35 6.40 1 0.18 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Female 110 20.1 0 0.00 96 17.5 13 2.40 1 0.18 0 0.00 

13 I- 15 

Male 34 6.1 0 0.00 24 4.40 7 1.20 3 0.50 0 0.00 

Female 65 11.9 0 0.00 54 9.90 8 1.40 2 0.36 1 0.18 

> 15 

Male 12 2.2 0 0.00 9 1.60 2 0.36 0 0.00 1 0.18 

Female 17 3.2 0 0.00 13 2.40 1 0.20 2 0.3 1 0.18 

Total 547 100 1 0.18 461 84.1 60 10.9 20 3.52 5 0.9 

 

The classification of students according to the height-age index is shown in Table 5. The results 

demonstrated that 2.75% students have low height for age.  

 

Table 5. Distribution of Students According to the Height-Age Index for Children  

Age 

(years) 
Gender n % 

Low height for age Adequate height for age 

>= -3 and < -2 >= -2 

n % n % 

< 9 Male 20 3.6 1 0.18 19 3.5 

Female 111 20.3 2 0.36 109 20 

9 I- 11  Male 28 5.1 1 0.18 27 5 

Female 114 20.8 7 1.3 107 19.5 

11 I- 13 Male 36 6.6 0 0 36 6.5 

Female 110 20.1 4 0.73 106 19.3 



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The classification of students according to weight-age index is shown in Table 6. The results showed 

that 4.06% of female students and 0.50% of male students have high weight for age. 

 

Table 6. Distribution of Students According to the Weight-Age and High Weight for Age Index for 

Children 

Age  

(years) 
Gender n % 

Adequate weight for age High weight for age 

>= -2 Z < 2 Z > 2 

N % n % 

≤ 9 

 

Male 35 17.8 34 17.2 1 0.50 

Female 162 82.2 154 78.2 8 4.06 

Total 197 100 188 95.4 9 4.56 

 

3.2 Nutritional Analysis of School Meals 

Table 7 shows the school menus used at the school during the research period. 

 

Table 7. Menus Used at the School During the Research Period 

Meal Menu 

Breakfast French bread, chocolate milk  

French bread, mate tea 

Lunch cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, polenta bolognese, lettuce salad 

cooked white rice, pasta with white sauce and ham 

cooked white rice, feijoada 

cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, polenta bolognese 

cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, ground beef with potato 

seasoned rice, chicken mayonnaise 

cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, polenta bolognese, cooked cabotia pumpkin 

cooked white rice, minced beef with carrots, vinaigrette and banana 

Snack Cornmeal Soup 

cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, crumbs banana 

sweet rice 

13 I- 15 Male 34 6.2 0 0 34 6.2 

Female 65 11.9 0 0 65 11.8 

> 15 Male 12 2.2 0 0 12 2.2 

Female 17 3.2 0 0 17 3.2 

Total 547 100 15 2.75 532 97.2 



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cooked white rice, chicken salad 

Rice, beans drover 

Avocado, papaya and banana smoothie 

Vegetable soup and noodles 

cooked white rice, cooked carioca beans, crumbs with ground beef and cabotia pumpkin 

 

Table 8 shows the average energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, 

zinc, and vitamins A and C intake of school meals. 

The number of calories consumed at breakfast, lunch, and snack was 124.87, 290.48, and 266.62 kcal, 

respectively. Regarding the macronutrients, carbohydrate was the most consumed item, especially at 

lunch, averaging 50.77 g, while protein intake at breakfast, lunch, and snack was on average 3.85 g, 

10.62 g, and 11.6 g, respectively. 

Regarding lipids intake, an increase was observed as the meals were served, from 4.21 g and 5.01 g at 

breakfast and lunch, respectively, reaching 8.22 g at afternoon snack. A low fiber intake was verified at 

breakfast, with 0.56 g, which was higher at lunch and snack, being 4.81 g and 4.83 g respectively. 

A difference in vitamin A intake was also observed among the periods, with values of 32.14 g, 2.64 g, 

and 9.94 g at breakfast, lunch, and snack, respectively. The vitamin C intake at lunch was 4.98 g, while 

at snack and breakfast the values were 4.97 and 0.58 g, respectively. 

Regarding the calcium intake, breakfast represented the highest intake, with 72.51 g, followed by 17.95 

g at lunch and 52.96 g at snack. The average iron intake was 0.57 g, 1.3 g, and 1.31 g at breakfast, 

lunch, and snack, respectively. With regard to magnesium, the highest intake was observed at lunch 

with 38.19 g, followed by 33.18 g and 13.37 g at snack and breakfast, respectively. Zinc intake was 

higher at snack, with 2.37 g, when compared to lunch and breakfast with values of 1.98 g, and 0.42 g. 

 

Table 8. Energy and Nutrient Intake per School Meal  

Nutrient/Meal Breakfast Lunch Afternoon snack 

Energy (kcal) 124.87 ± 27.17 290.48 ±116.52 266.62 ± 132.99 

Carbohydrate (g) 17.96 ± 2.87 50.77 ± 22.93 36.45 ± 21.79 

Protein (g) 3.85 ± 1.17 10.62 ± 4.35 11.6 ± 9.01 

Lipids (g) 4.21 ± 1.3 5.01 ± 2.76 8.22 ± 5.14 

Fiber (g) 0.56 ± 0.06 4.81 ± 2.44 4.83 ± 4.87 

Vitamin A 32.14 ± 15.00 2.64 ± 5.09 9.94 ± 14.84 

Vitamin C 0.58 ± 0.37 4.98 ± 5.83 4.97 ± 5.73 

Ca 72.51 ± 42.91 17.95 ± 8.70 52.96 ± 47.38 

Fe 0.57 ± 0.08 1.3 ± 0.84 1.31 ± 1.27 

Mg 13.37 ± 3.42 38.19 ± 30.10 33.18 ± 33.67 

Zn 0.42 ± 0.15 1.98 ± 1.12 2.37 ± 268 



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Regarding the composition of school meals, the energy, macronutrients, and fiber intake was below the 

recommended value by PNAE, as shown in Table 9. The energy value was only 69.19% of the 

recommended value for the group aged 6-10 years, 45.46% for the group aged 11-15, and 40.11% for 

students aged 16-18 years. The carbohydrates intake reached 64.72%, 43.14%, and 38.06% of the 

recommended value for the students aged 6 -10, 11-15, and 16-18 years, respectively. 

The average protein intake reached 83.5% of the recommended value for the students aged up to 10 

years. In contrast, for the students aged 11-15 and 16-18 years, the protein intake was 55.6% and 

52.14% of the recommended value, respectively. 

Lipids intake was 69.76% of the recommended value for children aged 6-10 years, and 46.50% for the 

group aged 11-15 years. For the group aged 16-18 years, the average intake reached 41.03% of the 

recommendations. 

Fiber intake was 54.5%, 48.3%, and 45.5% of the recommended value by the PNAE for the groups 

aged 6-10, 11-15, and 16-18 years, respectively. 

 

Table 9. Energy and Macronutrients Composition of School Meals When Compared to 70% of the 

Daily Nutritional Needs Recommended by PNAE According to Age Group 

Nutrient 
6-10 years old 11-15 years old 16-18 years old Provided by the 

School Recommended Recommended Recommended 

Energy (kcal) 1000 1500 1700 681.97 

Carbohydrate (g) 162.5 243.8 276.3 105.18 

Protein (g) 31.2 46.9 50 26.07 

Lipids (g) 25 37.5 42.5 17.44 

Fiber (g) 18.7 21.1 22.4 10.2 

 

The composition of micronutrients of school meals when compared to 70% of the daily nutritional needs 

recommended by PNAE for full day students is presented in Table 10. 

Calcium intake was 19.5% and 16.8% of the recommended value for students aged 6-10 years and over 

11 years old, respectively. Iron intake was 50.5%, 42.4%, and 35%, for the groups aged 6-10, 11-15, 

and 16-18 years, respectively. With respect to magnesium intake, percentages of 64.6%, 38.2%, and 

31.27% were observed for students aged 6-10, 11-15, and 16-18 years, respectively. 

The average vitamin C intake was 40.5%, 25.07%, and 21.5% of the recommended value by the PNAE 

for students aged 6-10, 11-15, and 16-18 years, while vitamin A intake reached 12.8%, 9.1%, and 

21.49% of the recommended value by the PNAE for those age groups, respectively.  

As regards the average zinc intake for the group aged 6-10 years, the school meal supplied the 

recommendations proposed by the PNAE. In contrast, for those aged 11-15 years and 16-18 years, zinc 

intake supplied 75.7% and 68.1% of the recommended value, respectively. 



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Table 10. Micronutrients of School Meals When Compared to 70% of the Daily Nutritional Needs 

Recommended by PNAE 

Nutrient 
6-10 years old 11-15 years old 16-18 years old Provided by 

the school Recommended Recommended Recommended 

Calcium (mg) 735 910 910 143.42 

Iron (mg) 6.3 7.5 9.1 3.18 

Magnesium (mg) 131 222 271 84.74 

Vitamin A (µg) 350 490 560 44.72 

Vitamin C (mg) 26 42 49 10.53 

Zinc (mg) 4.7 6.3 7 4.77 

 

4. Discussion 

4.1 Nutritional Status 

Although only one school has been investigated in the present study, it followed the trend in the 

literature about the decline in malnutrition and increase in overweight and obesity. 

Studies on obesity and underweight in school-age children and adolescents in Brazil, China, United 

States, and Russia have found that low weight increased only in Russia. In contrast, Brazil, China, and 

the United States have shown an increase in the prevalence of overweight (Wang et al., 2002). 

Pegolo and Silva (2008) assessed the nutritional status of schoolchildren aged 7-14 years and found 4% 

students with low height for age. As for the analysis of BMI, 10.7% students were underweight, while 

1.6% was classified as obese. 

Koga (2005) investigated schoolchildren aged 7-10 years, and reported prevalence of 4.5% 

underweight and 11% overweight. Regarding the height for age index, stunting of 2.3% was observed. 

A study in Spain found obesity in 16.8% of pre-school children aged 4 years, especially girls. The 

increase in chronological age raises obesity rates for 32.6% of 8-year-old girls. A decline in female 

obesity is observed among teenagers, probably due to negative social connotations associated with 

excess body fat, since vanity is aroused in adolescence (Travé et al., 2012). 

A study in Japan investigated children from primary school to high school, by evaluating weight and 

height every year. The results showed that approximately 50% of obese children in primary school 

remained obese at age 17. At high school, 40% of obese continued overweight at age 17, while 70% of 

the obese adolescents in high school remained obese at age 17 (Sugimori et al., 1999). 

Abrantes et al. (2002) studied the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in 

the Southeast and Northeast of Brazil. The results showed that 11.9% of children in the Southeast, and 

8.2% in the Northeast region were obese. In adolescence, a smaller obesity was observed in the 

Southeast over the Northeast with 1.7% and 4.2% respectively. In this research, the prevalence of 

overweight and obesity was higher among women in both regions. Silva et al. (2002) evaluated 211 



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students aged 10-19 years in Recife, Brazil, and found prevalence of 6.2% overweight and 5.7% 

obesity among students.  

Salles et al. (2000) assessed the prevalence of obesity among students aged 10-17 years in 

Florianópolis, Brazil, and observed a higher prevalence in public schools (13.1%) when compared in 

private schools (7.6%). In Fortaleza, Brazil, a survey assessed the nutritional status of adolescents from 

public and private schools. The results indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 

private schools reached 23.9% students, while in public schools this value was 19.5% (Campos et al., 

2007). 

4.2 Nutritional Analysis of School Meals 

The results of this study showed that in relation to macronutrients, energy, and fibers, the students 

consumed lower amounts than recommended by the PNAE for all age groups. Regarding to 

micronutrients, only zinc intake for the group aged 6-10 years was adequate. 

A major limitation of the study was the fact that there is no pattern in food portion sizes. PNAE 

recommendations are stratified by age group however meals at school are served equally for all 

students who receive the same menu and portion sizes. This attitude suggests a lack of guidance on the 

School Feeding Program, which mischaracterizes the dietary guidelines according to the nutritional 

needs (Ministry of Education, 2013). 

In this research, the consumption of foods in out-of-school environments has not been studied to 

associate the nutritional status and food routine at home. However, the identification of insufficient 

nutrients and energy intake in school meals suggests that students may have a regular intake at home, 

since there is no major commitment in height of the students evaluated (2.75%). 

This study showed a low intake of PNAE recommendations for all nutrients (macro and micro), but 

indicates a high consumption of macronutrients outside the school environment according to the 

nutritional profile presented by the children. 

Low vitamin A ingestion, with predominance among students in the public school system, and the low 

consumption of vitamin C were also recorded in other research (Albuquerque e Monteiro, 2002; 

Maestro, 2002). These data are worrying, since hypovitaminosis A is considered a public health 

problem in Brazil and can cause night blindness, loss of vision and less resistance to infections 

(Ministry of Health, 2015). Low vitamin C intake is associated with lower iron uptake, especially in 

vegetable foods (Carvalho et al., 2001). The deficiencies in vitamins A and C are possibly due to the 

insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, and it is necessary to encourage the students to 

consume foods that are sources of these nutrients, prioritizing the regional ones, since they are low cost 

and high nutritional density. 

Proportionally calcium was the nutrient with the lowest supply, and its intake was below the 

recommendations, which is also demonstrated in other studies (Albano e Souza, 2001; Albuquerque e 

Monteiro, 2002; Garcia et al., 2003), corroborating the results of this study. Despite the favorable daily 

consumption of milk, the low ingestion of calcium can be due to the intake of milk in a very diluted 



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form, with frequency and fractionation insufficient to reach the recommendation of this mineral in the 

organism. This improper diet practice may lead to low linear growth, impair the bone mass formation 

(Albano e Souza, 2001) and favor the early onset of osteoporosis (Carvalho et al., 2001). 

 

5. Conclusion 

The prevalence of 15% overweight (overweight, obesity, and severe obesity) among students is a 

warning for interventions to prevent obesity. A small group classified as underweight (0.9%) proved to 

be consistent with the nutritional status in the country, where malnutrition has been replaced by excess 

weight. 

In relation to energy and macronutrients intake, there was an insufficient intake in relation to the 

requirements by the PNAE for all age groups of students. It is worth mentioning the low occurrence of 

fibers in school meals, confirmed by fiber intake of 10.2 g per day, probably due to lower consumption 

of fruits and vegetables. 

Regarding micronutrients intake, only zinc intake was within the recommended value for the group 

aged 6-10 years. In general, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium intakes were considered 

insufficient for all ages, and zinc for the groups aged 11-15 and 16-18 years. 

 

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