Estimation of Choline intake in Chiang Mai University students and staff

Abstract

Choline is an essential nutrient which is grouped with vitamin B, the major form of choline in food and the body are PtdC. The important roles of choline are being a constituent of cell membrane, lipoprotein and precursor for synthesis of acetylcholine. Especially, adequate choline intake can decease a risk of NAFLD and Alzheimer’s disease. This study surveyed the usual dietary intake of choline among Thai university students and staff aged 19-60 years (n=317; men 95, women 222). Socioeconomic background, health information, anthropometric data and 24-h dietary recall data were collected. The long-term usual intake was estimated using the multiple-source method. The average usual choline intake levels for men and women were (mean±SD) 433±240 and 350±170 mg/day, respectively. Moreover, choline intake was not associated with BMI, WC and WHR. The results revealed Thai young adults did not achieve the AI levels and this situation indicated that it should be of concerned. However, further study is needed to directly assess choline intake at the national level.