Abstract:

Purpose: This study was planned and carried out with the aim of determining the nutritional conditions of women living in the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic (KKTC) and assessing their calcium intake (Ca). Individuals and Method: The study was conducted between June 2010 and October 2010 on 209 healthy women between the ages of 19 and 40 who apply to the laboratory and blood collection centers of the Gazimağusa State Hospital. Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding with chronic illness have not been included in the study. Application of the survey form on the general characteristics of individuals, eating habits, food consumption frequencies, reverse 24-hour food consumption and exercise participation conditions and anthropometric measurements by the researcher, blood tests were performed by health professionals working in the hospital. For the analysis of food consumption, the Student Version 6.1 of the Nutrition Information Systems Package Program (BEBIS) was used, while for the statistical analysis of the obtained data, the SPSS 16.0 statistical program was used. Results: 56% of the Ca intake of individuals involved in the study is from milk and dairy products. According to the participants’ daily food intake average, 16.50 ± 4.12% of energy comes from protein, 45.2 ± 8.9% from carbohydrates and 38.2 ± 8.2% from fat. When daily food intake was assessed according to the training situation, there was no significant difference in Ca (p>0.05). When assessed by age groups, the calcium intake of women between the ages of 19 and 30 was higher than the Ca intake of women between the ages of 31 and 40 (p<0.05). The participants’ daily Ca intake (531.7 ± 166.4 mg) was found to be below the recommended values. There has been a positive meaningful relationship between women’s Ca and fat intake. 67.4% of participants are in the normal range according to the body mass index (BMI). The result: women living in the KKTC have been determined to take Ca below the recommended amounts. Promoting the consumption of milk and dairy products, which are the main sources of Ca minerals for adequate and balanced nutrition, which is important in the preservation and development of women’s health, is very important.

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