Summary
In view of the scarcity of literature on food consumption and nutrient intakes in the Amazon Basin, the results of a household expenditure survey conducted in 1,200 families of Manaus in 1973-74 were analyzed. The frequency of families buying different foods and the daily per caput intake of these foods, were calculated. The diet was characterized by low vegetable, low legume, low fruit, high bread, high cassava flour and high fish consumption. Using food composition tables, daily per capita intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, vitamina A, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and ascorbic, acid were estimated and compared with calculated recommendei intakes per capita. Sufficiences of Vitamin and mineral intake; in the medium wage group, considered the sample most representative of the city as a whole, were vitamin A 70,1%, thiamin 76,7%. riboflavine 77,5%, calcium 91,5% iron 154,2%, niacin 155,0% and ascorbic acid 155,6%. These results are worse than those reported for some state capitals of the north-east of Brazil, where malnutrition is considered to be endemic. These deficiencies need corroboration by analasis of local foods and clinical biochemical studies of the local population. The intake of protein and energy seems sufficient since 201% of protein requirements and 92,1% of energy requirements are met. Using the body mass index in the adult population group, obesity is indicated as not being uncommon, especially in middle aged women. The distribution of energy sources as 61,5% fron carbohydrates, 21,3% from fats and 17,2% fron protein would seem satisfactory in relation to recent recommendations of governments of developed countries, where obesity and atherosclerosis are the major public health problems. Based on the food consumption pattern a programme to stimulate production and consumption of vegetables should probably be the main government priority to improve the local food and nutrition situation.