Adolescence is a period of window of opportunity for the human growth and development. There have been limited studies investigating the food intake patterns of female adolescents in Vietnam. This study aims at describing the food intake patterns, amount of energy, nutrients that meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). 204 female adolescents aged 10-19 years old from 5 communes, Lacson district, Hoabinh province were interviewed on the food intake and food frequency. The prevalence of subjects consuming meat, fish, egg, beans, dark green leafy vegetables 4 - 6 times/wk ranged from 43.1 percent to 68.6 percent. Up to 42.6 percent of subjects did not use milk in the past month. The amount of ripe fruit consumed increased in accordance t
the age group, attained 144.7 +/- 221,7 g/person/day for the subjects of 17 - 19 years old. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus was 0.63, that of animal protein to total protein was 24.2 percent. Compared to RDA, vitamin D in the diet met only 18 - 28 percent, calcium met 37 - 43 percent, iron met 31- 37 percent, zinc met 46 - 56 percent. The amount of vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc from the diet is low. Intervention measures are needed to improve the above nutrients for female adolescents in Lacson district.