Regional Differences in Risk Factor Distributions, Food Habits and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality and Morbidity in Belgium

Abstract

Belgium can be divided in 4 major geographical areas: two Dutch speaking areas in the north (Campine and Flanders), a French speaking area in the south (Wallonia) and the Brussels area in between. Significant differences in mean serum cholesterol levels were observed with the lowest level in Campine, intermediate in Flanders and Brussels, and the highest level in Wallonia. Similar differences were observed in the prevalence of CHD and mortality from CHD is also higher in the French speaking part of the country. A survey of food habits since 1959 shows a higher butter and lower soft margarine consumption in the south. However, differences in smoking habits and personality traits also exist.

Healthy Food and Nutrient Index and All Cause Mortality

“…Results of previous epidemiological studies, conducted primarily in the area of cardiovascular disease [1][2][3][4][5][6], have shown that these cultural differences are accompanied by a significantly higher morbidity and mortality rate in Wallonia as compared to Flanders. These differences in health experience have by some authors been explained on the basis of differences in lifestyle between the two populations and indeed also by different eating profiles [5,6].…”

Cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sodium, and potassium intakes of the United States population.

“…The potential impact of intake of certain dietary components on heart disease mortality is of special interest since coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States [I] and diet has been associated with coronary heart disease in humans [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Evolution of Coronary Heart Disease Mortality from 1958 in Belgium

“…During the late 1960s and the 1970s consumption of soft margarines showed a tremendous increase [1], The consumption of saturated oils de creased also during the same period. The P/S ratio showed an increase during the late 1960s and 1970s.…”

“…No hard epidemiological data are avail able for the 1950s but during the 1960s and more so during the 1970s, butter consump tion decreased in Belgium [1]. During the late 1960s and the 1970s consumption of soft margarines showed a tremendous increase [1], The consumption of saturated oils de creased also during the same period.…”