Abstract

Daily intakes of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, copper, and manganese for eight age-sex groups are presented for 1982 to 1989. Compared with the intakes recommended by the National Academy of Sciences, sodium intakes (which did not include discretionary salt) exceeded the estimated minimum requirement; intakes of potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and iodine were adequate for all groups; and copper intakes were low (less than 80% of the suggested intake) for all groups. In addition, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese were low in the diets of teenage girls; calcium, magnesium, and iron were low in the diets of adult women; calcium, magnesium, and zinc were low in the diets of older women; calcium and zinc were low in the diets of 2-year-olds; and magnesium was low in the diets of teenage boys and older men. The primary food group source for each element was dairy products for potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iodine; grain products for sodium, iron, and manganese; and animal flesh for zinc, selenium, and copper.