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Adequate intake of calcium is important for skeletal growth. Low calcium intake during childhood and adolescence may lead to decreased bone mass accrual thereby increasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Our aim was to study dietary calcium intake and sources of calcium in adolescents from lower and upper economic strata in Pune, India. We hypothesized that children from lower economic strata would have lower intakes of calcium, which would predominantly be derived from non-dairy sources. Two hundred male and female adolescents, from lower and upper economic stratum were studied. Semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate intakes of calcium, phosphorus, oxalic acid, phytin, energy and protein. The median calcium intake was significantly different in all four groups, with maximum intake in the upper economic strata boys (893 mg, 689-1295) and lowest intake in lower economic strata girls (506 mg, 380-674). The median calcium intake in lower economic strata boys was 767 mg (585-1043) and that in upper economic strata girls was 764 mg (541-959). The main source of calcium was dairy products in upper economic strata adolescents while it was dark green leafy vegetables in lower economic strata adolescents. The median calcium intake was much lower in lower economic strata than in the upper economic strata both in boys and girls. Girls from both groups had less access to dairy products as compared to boys. Measures need to be taken to rectify low calcium intake in lower economic strata adolescents and to address gender inequality in distribution of dairy products in India.

The composite diets of ninety pregnant women residing in rural areas of Haryana, Northern India, were analysed for protein, fat, calcium, iron, phytic acid, polyphenols, in vitro mineral (calcium, iron) availability and digestibility (in vitro) of starch and protein. The mean daily intakes of calcium and iron were lower than the recommended dietary allowances for pregnant women and their in vitro availability was only 4.07 and 3.09 per cent, respectively. Phytic acid and polyphenolic contents of diet were 616 and 563 mg %. In vitro digestibility of starch and protein were 74 mg maltose released/g meal and 78 per cent, respectively Analysed values for protein, fat, calcium and iron were also compared with calculated values obtained using Indian Food Composition Tables. The calculated values for all nutrients were significantly higher than the analysed values. The study concludes that while carrying out diet composition studies of an individual or a population, unless we include laboratory analysis of composite diets, calculations from food composition tables will make little sense in assessing nutritional intake.

Objective: To assess the energy and nutrient adequacy of a variety of complementary foods used in parts of Africa, India, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Thailand., Method: The energy, nutrient and anti-nutrient (dietary fibre and phytic acid) content (per 100 g as eaten, per 100 kcal, and per day) of twenty-three plant-based complementary foods consumed in developing countries was calculated from food composition values based on chemical analysis for the trace minerals, non-starch polysaccharide and phytic acid, and the literature. Results were compared with the estimated nutrient needs (per day; per 100 kcal) from complementary foods for infants 9-11 months, assuming a breast milk intake of average volume and composition and three complementary feedings per day, each of 250 g., Results: Complementary foods should provide approximately 25-50% of total daily requirements for protein, riboflavin and copper; 50-75% for thiamin, calcium and manganese; and 75-100% for phosphorus, zinc and iron. Most or all appear to meet the estimated daily nutrient needs (per day; per 100 kcal) from complementary foods for protein, thiamin and copper (per day), but not for calcium, iron, and in some cases zinc, even if moderate bioavailability for iron and zinc is assumed. Some of those based on rice are also inadequate in riboflavin (per day; per 100 kcal)., Conclusions: Even if strategies to improve the bioavailability of iron and zinc are employed, they are probably insufficient to overcome the deficits in calcium, iron and zinc. Therefore, research on the feasibility of fortifying plant-based complementary foods in developing countries with calcium, iron and zinc is urgently required.