Browsing by Author "Barrar, Jessica"

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    Protein intake and dietary sources in adolescents aged 14–19 years : insights from the Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Barrar, Jessica
    Background: Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development, increasing the need for adequate protein intake and quality protein sources to support growth and developmental changes. However, current data on protein intake and protein sources among New Zealand (NZ) adolescents are outdated, particularly given recent shifts in dietary patterns and food environments. Aims and objectives: This research aimed to investigate the current protein intake and sources of NZ adolescents and compare protein intake with the Nutrient Reference Values to assess adherence to dietary recommendations. Methods: The data for this research was obtained through the Te Rourou Kai o Ngā Rangatahi: Eating Patterns of Young People in NZ study. This cross-sectional study gathered dietary data from 266 students aged between 14 to 19 years in the Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions of NZ using an electronic multiple pass 24-hour dietary recall, and demographic questionnaire. Dietary data were linked to a preexisting nutrient database and categorised into food groupings to determine protein intake and sources. Protein adequacy was assessed by comparing protein intakes of adolescents with the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and NZ. Protein intake results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) for continuous values and as number (percentage) for categorical values. Contributions of each food group to protein intake were reported as both percentage ± SD and grams ± SD. Results: Participants (n=266, 68.0% female) had mean protein intakes of 98.5 ± 66.8 g/day for males and 70.1 ± 45 g/day for females which both exceeded the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). Males consumed significantly more protein than females (P < 0.001). In total, 19.5% (n=52) of adolescents did not meet the EAR for protein. The percentage of total energy (%TE) from protein was 18.3 ± 8.1% for males and 16.2 ± 5.4% for females, both within but at the lower end of the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) of 15-25%, with males showing a significantly higher protein contribution to energy intake (P = 0.035). A high proportion of females (44.2%) and males (36.9%) were below the AMDR. For all participants, the main sources of protein included meat and meat products (17.7 ± 25.7%, 17.6 ± 35.7g/d), burgers, pizza, and Mexican dishes (13.8 ± 26.4%, 9.6 ± 20.1g/d), pasta and rice dishes (9.8 ± 22.4%, 9.7 ± 27.9g/d), and bread and bread products (7.5 ± 13.7%, 5.5 ± 11.8g/d). Conclusions: Protein sources for NZ adolescents include both plant and animal sources, with meat being the largest contributor. Animal proteins, such as meat, will provide high-quality, complete proteins within the adolescent diet. Our findings suggest some adolescents are consuming inadequate amounts of protein to meet their dietary needs. Further research is required with two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls verifying levels of inadequacy seen within this adolescent population.