Trans Fat Intake and Its Dietary Sources in General Populations Worldwide: A Systematic Review

Abstract

After the discovery that trans fat increases the risk of coronary heart disease, trans fat content of foods have considerably changed. The aim of this study was to systematically review available data on intakes of trans fat and its dietary sources in general populations worldwide. Data from national dietary surveys and population studies published from 1995 onward were searched via Scopus and websites of national public health institutes. Relevant data from 29 countries were identified. The most up to date estimates of total trans fat intake ranged from 0.3 to 4.2 percent of total energy intake (En%) across countries. Seven countries had trans fat intakes higher than the World Health Organization recommendation of 1 En%. In 16 out of 21 countries with data on dietary sources, intakes of trans fat from animal sources were higher than that from industrial sources. Time trend data from 20 countries showed substantial declines in industrial trans fat intake since 1995. In conclusion, nowadays, in the majority of countries for which data are available, average trans fat intake is lower than the recommended maximum intake of 1 En%, with intakes from animal sources being higher than from industrial sources. In the past 20 years, substantial reductions in industrial trans fat have been achieved in many countries.

Association between trans fatty acid intake and overweight including obesity in 4 to 5‐year‐old children from the INMA study

“…Nevertheless, it has been reported previously that in adults industrial TFA contribute to the majority of total TFA intake . However, in recent years, the industrial TFA intake diminished in many parts of the world, and currently in many countries the intake of natural TFA is equal or higher than the intake of industrial TFA …”

Metabolic Trajectories Following Contrasting Prudent and Western Diets from Food Provisions: Robust Biomarkers of Short-Term Changes in Habitual Diet

“…In contrast, greater consumption of processed foods containing vegetable oils rich in C18:2n-6cis and other omega-6 fatty acids is hypothesized to be a major dietary culprit for cardiovascular disease prevalence in developed countries [74]. Public health policies have been far more effective in the past decade to reduce dietary trans fat intake to less than 1% energy based on WHO recommendations with animal meats/dairy now being more significant than industrial sources from partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils [75]. These trends are consistent with data measured in this study, as fasting plasma concentrations of C18:2n-6trans were about 0.34% of its stereoisomer and most abundant fatty acid in circulation, C18:2n-6cis ( Figure S9).…”

<b><i>Lifestyle Genomics</i></b>: Addressing the Multifactorial Nature of Personalized Health

“…The consequences of these important discoveries have ramifications not only on the research community, but also on health policy and the food industry. For example, trans fats have recently been cut from the global food supply chain and many countries are now meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations of < 1% total energy intake from trans fats [15]. A reduction of added sugars in foods may be the next major policy to have widespread impacts.…”