Evaluation Of Dietary Quality Using Mean Adequacy Ratio (Mar) In Adults

This study aimed to research dietary quality in adults and to compare using different parameters (body mass index, education statues, gender and age). The cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 421 adults (275 females, 146 males) living in Ankara. Dietary intakes of individuals aging between 20 and 50 years (mean±SD, 32.7±9.096 years) were collected by using 24-hour recall method. Mean adequacy ratio scores calculated by using nutrient adequacy ratio were used for dietary quality assessment. According to mean adequacy ratio scores, 56% of individuals’ dietary nutrient content found to be inadequate. In the study, there was no significant difference in mean adequacy ratio scores according to education, age, body weight; whereas, male mean adequacy ratio scores were higher than female. There is a need for improving diets according to mean adequacy ratio scores assessment in Turkey. Dietary quality can be affected by different variables such as gender, body mass index, age and education statues. Improving dietary quality should be aimed using plan and policies, developed taking into consideration these variables by governments.