In the National Nutrition Survey II (NVS II, 2008), the dietary behavior of the population was investigated for Germany and it was shown how this affects the average daily nutrient intake with macro- and micronutrients (vital substances).
The intake recommendations (D-A-CH reference values) of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) are used as the basis for assessing nutrient supply. A comparison of the nutrient intake determined in the NVS II with the recommendations of the DGE shows for which micronutrients (vital substances) there is a frequent undersupply in Germany.
Regarding the supply situation, it can be stated:
- 26% of men and 29% of women do not reach the recommended daily intake of magnesium.
- Among female adolescents (14-18 years), even 56% do not take enough magnesium.
- The worst supplied men lack 169 mg of magnesium. This corresponds to a daily shortfall of 42% of the recommended intake.
- The worst-supplied women aged 19 years and older lack 126 mg of magnesium. This corresponds to a daily shortfall of 41% of the recommended intake.
- Pregnant women 25 years and older have a daily excess requirement of 10 mg of magnesium compared to non-pregnant women. Correspondingly, the worst-supplied pregnant women 25 years and older have a deficiency of 93 mg of magnesium per day.
- Breastfeeding women 25 years and older have an excess daily requirement of 90 mg of magnesium over nonbreastfeeding women. Correspondingly, the worst-supplied breastfeeding women 25 years and older have a shortfall of 173 mg of magnesium per day.
- The worst-supplied female adolescents (14 to 18 years) lack 169 mg of magnesium. This corresponds to a daily shortfall of 48% of the recommended intake.
- Pregnant women under 25 years of age have no additional need for magnesium compared to their non-pregnant peers. However, they are subject to the same shortfall situation. Accordingly, the worst-supplied pregnant women under 19 years lack 169 mg of magnesium per day. The worst-supplied pregnant women from 19 to 24 years lack 126 mg of magnesium per day.
- Breastfeeding women under 19 years of age have an excess daily requirement of 40 mg of magnesium over nonbreastfeeding peers. Correspondingly, the worst-supplied breastfeeding women under 19 years have a shortfall of 209 mg of magnesium per day.
- Breastfeeding women between the ages of 19 and 24 have an excess daily requirement of 80 mg of magnesium compared with nonbreastfeeding peers. Correspondingly, the worst-supplied breastfeeding peers between the ages of 19 and 24 have a shortfall of 206 mg of magnesium per day.
Since the intake recommendations of the DGE are based on the needs of healthy and normal-weight people, an individual additional need (eg due todiet, stimulant consumption, permanent medication, etc.) may be above the intake recommendations of the DGE.
