Objective: To assess the intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) and other fatty acids in 14 Western European countries. Design and subjects: A maximum of 100 foods per country were sampled and centrally analysed. Each country calculated the intake of individual trans and other fatty acids, clusters of fatty acids and total fat in adults andaor the total population using the best available national food consumption data set. Results: A wide variation was observed in the intake of total fat and (clusters) of fatty acids in absolute amounts. The variation in proportion of energy derived from total fat and from clusters of fatty acids was less. Only in Finland, Italy, Norway and Portugal total fat did provide on average less than 35% of energy intake. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) provided on average between 10% and 19% of total energy intake, with the lowest contribution in most Mediterranean countries. TFA intake ranged from 0.5% (Greece, Italy) to 2.1% (Iceland) of energy intake among men and from 0.8% (Greece) to 1.9% among women (Iceland) (1.2 ± 6.7 gad and 1.7 ± 4.1 gad, respectively). The TFA intake was lowest in Mediterranean countries (0.5 ± 0.8 en%) but was also below 1% of energy in Finland and Germany. Moderate intakes were seen in Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway and UK and highest intake in Iceland. Trans isomers of C 18 X1 were the most TFA in the diet. Monounsaturated fatty acids contributed 9 ± 12% of mean daily energy intake (except for Greece, nearly 18%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids 3 ± 7%. Conclusion: The current intake of TFA in most Western European countries does not appear to be a reason for major concern. In several countries a considerable proportion of energy was derived from SFA. It would therefore be prudent to reduce intake of all cholesterol-raising fatty acids, TFA included.
The European Fifth Framework Programme (Contract No. QLK1-CT-2000-00623).
Objective: To describe the dietary patterns of 10 European countries and their socio-demographic determinants, using the comparable between-countries DAFNE data. Design: Analysis of standardized and postharmonized data collected through the national household budget surveys. Setting: Nationally representative surveys undertaken in 10 European countries, generally in the second half of the 1990s. Results: The differences in the fruit and vegetable consumption previously identified between Mediterranean and Northern European countries seem to be leveling out, particularly in relation to fruit consumption. Pulses, however, still characterize the diet of the Mediterraneans. Straying from their traditional food choices, Mediterraneans recorded high availability of unprocessed red meat, while Central and Northern Europeans preferably consumed meat products. The household availability of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is generally higher among Central and Northern European populations. Principal component (PC) analysis led to the identification of two dietary patterns in each of the 10 countries. The first was similar in all countries and indicated 'wide-range' food buyers. The second was slightly more varied and described 'beverage and convenience' food buyers. PC1 was common among households of retired and elderly members, while PC2 was common among households located in urban or semi-urban areas and among adult Scandinavians living alone. Conclusions: The dietary patterns identified point towards a progressive narrowing of dietary differences between North and South European countries. The comparable between-countries DAFNE data could prove useful in ecological studies, in the formulation of dietary guidelines and public health initiatives addressing specific population groups. Sponsorship: European Commission.
Background/Objectives: The Food Consumption Survey (FCS), conducted for over 20 years by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MARM), is the most reliable source of data to evaluate the food consumption and dietary patterns of Spain. The aim of this study was to assess population food availability per capita per day, which allows the calculation of energy and nutrient intake and comparison with the Recommended Nutrient Intakes for the Spanish population. In addition, different markers of the quality of the diet have been evaluated. Subjects/Methods: The sample consisted of consumption and distribution data, obtained from the nationwide representative FCS for the period 2000-2006. A two-stage sampling method was applied, where in the first stage the units to be sampled were towns or local entities, and in the second stage households that were going to be part of the final sample from those entities were selected. Units consisted of towns or local entities in the national territory. The sample size was 619 selected entities. Units in the second stage were households from the selected towns (8200 homes). The data allowed the calculation of energy and nutrient intakes, using food composition tables. The quality of the diet was also evaluated: the adequacy of the diet in meeting the recommended intakes for energy and nutrients; energy profile; dietary fat quality; dietary protein quality; nutrient density; and Mediterranean diet adequacy indices. The present data were compared with previous data obtained by our research group in 1964, 1981 and 1991. Results: Using the most recent data, average intake comprised milk and derivatives (379 g/person/day), fruit (310 g/person/ day), vegetables and greens (302 g/person/day), cereals and derivatives (214 g/person/day), meat and meat products (179 g/day), fish (100 g/person/day), oil and fat (48 g/person/day), precooked food (34 g/person/day), eggs (32 g/person/day), and legumes and pulses (11.9 g/person/day). There was also a high consumption of non-alcoholic beverages (433 g/person/ day) and alcoholic beverages (247 g/person/day). In consequence, meat and meat product consumption was higher than the recommendations, whereas for cereals and their derivatives, vegetables and greens, fruit, and legumes and pulses, consumption was below recommendations for the Spanish population. Some staple and traditional Mediterranean foods (bread, potatoes and olive oil) showed a dramatic decline when compared with data from Household Budget Surveys in 1964 data. Energy intake declined by about 300 kcal/person/day, when compared with the 1964 mean consumption. Insufficient nutrient intakes were found in the young adult population for zinc and folic acid in both sexes, and for iron in women, when compared with dietary reference values. Conclusions: Food consumption patterns in Spain and energy and nutrient intakes have changed markedly in the last 40 years, differing at present from the traditional and healthy Mediterranean diet.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.