Abstract

Nutritional recommendations for the Cuban population in 2008 Multicentric study. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2009, vol.28, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3011.

The recommendations of daily food and nutrient energy intake for the Cuban population were first published in 1996, therefore, it was required to update them according to the results of international bodies and research studies in the nutritional status of the Cuban population. This was the main objective of several experts from different institutions. The nutritional recommendations are a normative and educational instrument of great importance for all the sectors related to feeding and nutrition. This document sets the recommended values for adequate intake of energy, proteins, essential aminoacids, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, 14 vitamins and 15 minerals or trace elements. Top tolerable ingestion levels were introduced for some nutrients and the weighted recommendations for the whole Cuban population (2 300 kcal, 69 g proteins, 53 g fats, 387 g carbohydrates) by age group were aimed at food planning. Some important changes have been the use of body weight values corresponding to Body Mass Index of 21 to set the recommended energy intake for adults and also the fat intake recommendation from 20 % of the total energy since these amounts will contribute to the prevention of body overweight and non communicable diseases of high prevalence in Cuba.

Keywords : Nutritional recommendations; energy; proteins; essential aminoacids; fats; carbohydrates; vitamins; minerals; population; Cuba.