Nutritional issues in Spanish women; findings of the ANIBES Study

Women go through different stages in which their energy and nutritional needs. Despite these nutritional challenges, women generally have dietary and lifestyle patterns that are more suited to their needs than those faced by men. Longer life expectancy, concers about weight control and the prevalece of cetain chronic diseases increase the vulnerability at the nutritional level of women.

At present time, no representative studies have been done that specifically evaluate the nutritional status of the female population, as well as its determinants over different life stages. The ANIBES scientific study (Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance in Spain) has analyzed these features among a representative sample of people aged between 9 and 75, in which the strengths and weaknesses as regards energy intake of the Spanish population are described, including those of andwomen over the course of different life stages.

According to the data of the ANIBES scientific study, the average energy intake per day and per person among the Spanish female population, which included a sample of 996 women, is 1,660 ± 426.7 kcal/day. In general terms, it is a lower intake in comparison with the total population energy intake (1,810 ± 504.4 kcal/day) and also compared to the male population, whose intake adds up to 1,957 ± 531 kcal/day.

This trend can also be seen when the data are stratified by age groups, being the energy intake particularly low among women over 65, standing at 1,476 ± 359.9 kcal/day.

The Spanish female population has an unbalanced caloric profile, according to the EFSA recommendations, with an excess of protein intake, but with a carbohydrate intake below the recommended rates. Among the sample of women of the ANIBES scientific study, it can be observed that 17.0 % of the energy intake comes from proteins, 38.7 % from lipids, 41.2 % from carbohydrates (of which 17.8 % are simple sugars), 1.4 % from alcohol and 1.5 % from dietary fibre.

Learn all the data of the study "'Nutritional issues in Spanish women; findings of the ANIBES Study"by cohort and by sex.