An approach to the development of food-based dietary guidelines for Ireland

Meat fats in nutrition

This article reviews the fat content and fatty acid composition of meats in the human diet and discusses nutritional facts related to meat, meat products and other meat-containing foods as sources of dietary fats. Meat is an increasingly important source of high-value animal protein worldwide. Meat fat comprises mostly monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, with oleic (C18:1), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0) being the most ubiquitous. Meat and meat products are considerable sources of cholesterol in the diet. In most industrialized countries, a high meat intake contributes to a higher than recommended total and saturated fat and cholesterol intake. Another concern is that meat may replace sources of other important nutrients in the diet. Therefore, the advice to consumers is to prefer lean meats and low-fat meat products and use meat in moderation only.

Overall and within-food group diversity are associated with dietary quality in Belgium

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship(s) between overall and within-food group diversity and several indices of dietary quality, such as dietary adequacy, moderation and balance, in Belgian adults. Dietary quality indices were derived from the food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG).

DESIGN

Information on food intake was collected with two 24 h recalls.

SETTING

Average overall and within-food group diversity scores and dietary adequacy, moderation and balance scores were calculated.

SUBJECTS

A representative sample (n 3245) of the Belgian population at the age of 15 years and older was randomly selected from the National Register using a multistage stratified procedure.

RESULTS

For both men and women, total dietary diversity score increased with age and smokers had a significantly lower overall diversity score than non- or former smokers. A positive association was found between overall dietary diversity and both dietary adequacy and balance. For most food groups, especially bread and cereals, vegetables, dairy products and spreadable fats, within-food group dietary diversity was positively associated with the fulfillment of the specific recommendation for the intake of that food group. An inverse association was found between dietary diversity within the meat and the energy-dense, nutrient-poor food groups and dietary balance. Diversity within the dairy and spreadable fat group was responsible for the strongest increase in overall dietary adequacy and balance.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall dietary diversity is a useful indicator of dietary quality in Belgium. For some food groups, within-food group dietary diversity is a useful indicator of compliance with the specific FBDG for intake of that food group.

The gap between food-based dietary guidelines and usual food consumption in Belgium, 2004

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the gap between food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and the usual food consumption in Belgium.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Information on food intake was collected with two non-consecutive 24 h recalls, using the validated software package EPIC-SOFT in combination with a self-administered FFQ. Habitual food intake was estimated by the Nusser method. Physical activity was evaluated according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

SUBJECTS

A representative sample of the Belgian population aged 15 years and older was randomly selected from the National Register using a multistage stratified procedure. Dietary information was obtained from 3245 individuals.

RESULTS

Food intakes deviated significantly from the recommendations. In particular, fruit (118 g/d) and vegetable (138 g/d) consumption and intake of dairy and Ca-enriched soya products (159 g/d) were inadequate. Consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (soft drinks, alcohol and snacks) was excessive (481 g/d). There were important age and gender differences. Fruit, vegetable and spreadable fat consumption was lowest, while consumption of dairy, starchy and energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods was highest among the youngest age group. Men consumed more animal and starchy foods than women, who consumed more fruits. There were only slight differences by education level.

CONCLUSION

Food intakes differed substantially from the FBDG. Improvement of the Belgian food pattern, in particular among the youngest age group, is necessary for a better prevention of diet-related diseases. In addition, continuous or regular monitoring is crucial to permit trend analyses and to plan effective education or intervention strategies.

Adiposity and dietary intake in cardiovascular risk in an obese population from a Mediterranean area

The aim of the study was to determine the particular relevance of android fat distribution and dietary intake in cardiovascular risk in an obese Mediterranean population with high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and to compare the findings with those from normal-weight subjects. For the study, 193 subjects aged 25-60 were selected: 118 obese (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2), and 75 normal-weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were assessed. Nutrient intake and body fat distribution were determined. Results show that MUFA were highly consumed in the total population (21% of total energy). The obese population was normolipidemic and normoinsulinemic. However, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) were significantly higher than in normal-weight (P < 0.05). Obese subjects derived a greater percentage of their energy intake from total fat and lower from carbohydrates and saturated fats (P < 0.05). BMI and waist-hip ratio positively correlated with fat percentage of total energy intake and with MUFA (g/100 g fatty acids) in men, indicating that the excess of fat intake in obesity is due to a larger consumption of olive oil. CVRF were significantly and positively associated to waist circumference and WHR, both in obese and in normal-weight subjects. In conclusion, not only obesity but also android fat in normal-weight subjects are important factors in cardiovascular disease even in the Mediterranean population, with a high intake of MUFA, where these factors seem to be more relevant to cardiovascular risk than dietary composition.

The contribution of foods to the dietary lipid profile of a Spanish population

OBJECTIVE

To identify the food that has the greatest effect on the variation in the percentage of energy intake derived from fat and saturated fatty acids for the consumption of a Spanish population.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of food consumption, using the 24-hour recall method for three non-consecutive days, one of which was a non-working day. Subjects were interviewed by trained interviewers in the subjects' homes. We used multiple linear regression for statistical analysis.

SETTING

The citizens of Reus.

SUBJECTS

One thousand and sixty subjects over five years old, randomly selected from the population census of Reus.

RESULTS

In both sexes, the foods that mainly determine a high consumption of fat are oil and red meat while those that determine a lower consumption of fat are bread, savoury cereals and fruit. The foods that mainly determine a high consumption of saturated fatty acids are red meat and whole-fat dairy products while those that determine a low consumption are bread, savoury cereals and fruit.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population, feasible variations in the intake of some foods - less than one portion - would reduce the estimated percentage of energy intake derived from fat and saturated fatty acids by a quantity considered important for cardiovascular disease prevention. The periodic identification and quantification of the food that most affects the dietary fat profile will help in drawing up dietary guidelines with more reasonable strategies for consuming a healthier diet and decreasing the risk of developing nutritional disorders.

The nutrition transition in Spain: a European Mediterranean country

BACKGROUND

Mediterranean diets are felt to be healthful diets linked with reduced mortality from diet-related noncommunicable diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in diet, activity, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases for Spain and compare these with other European countries, particularly those from the Mediterranean area.

DESIGN

A combination of large-scale primary and secondary nationally representative data analysis are used.

DATA

Nationally representative data on household food consumption, physical activity, adult obesity, and cause of death are combined with regionally representative adolescent obesity data, obtained in the last four decades. Comparative diet and obesity data come from nationally representative comparable data, obtained during the same period.

RESULTS

The Spanish diet has shifted toward a very high level of fat intake, high fruit and dairy intake and moderate vegetable intake. Dairy and fruit intakes were the highest in Europe, as was the proportion of energy from fat, when we compared with the available data. Adult overweight and obesity trends show a marked increase in the past decade to levels as high as Italy and far above France. Overweight for children aged 6-7 is above that of even the USA, while adolescent overweight levels are among the highest in the world. Cardiovascular disease mortality is low, as with Italy and France, and the cancer mortality rate is lower than Italy and France.

CONCLUSIONS

We have observed that, in Spain, relatively high obesity prevalences and dairy intake levels are related to much lower levels of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality than are found in other European countries. This unique Spanish dietary and obesity pattern should be further explored in order to clarify the causal links.

SUPPORT

The National Institutes of Health (NIH; R01-HD30880 and R01-HD38700).

Nutrition, physical activity and health status in Europe: an overview

INTRODUCTION

The European diet is characterized by a wide variation in every aspect of eating from the timing of meals to the composition of meals. In general, there is a tendency in terms of dietary advice towards lower fat intakes in order to reduce saturated fatty acid intake and to reduce the risk of obesity. Such diets are most successful and yield the most favourable metabolic profile when there is an adequate level of physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present paper was to explore how the composition of dietary fat changes across the EU with low- and high-fat diets and to explore levels of physical activity and attitudes to physical activity across the EU.

DESIGN

The paper draws on data contained in reports and supplements of the Institute of European Food Studies in the EU.

RESULTS

There is a clear trend for southern EU states to have higher MUFA intakes and lower SFA intakes than northern ELJ states. However, for both geographic regions, the fatty acid composition of dietary fat was similar in groups with lower or higher dietary fat intakes. Physical activity was ranked low by consumers (n= 15,000) for its importance in relation to health and the prevention of weight-gain. Some 47% agreed that their present level of physical activity is sufficient. 78% agreed that being 13 kg heavier would not be detrimental to health and 30% agreed that the main benefit of physical activity was to relieve stress.

CONCLUSIONS

(i) The present strategy of lowering dietary fat intake does not alter dietary fat composition and (ii) there is a high level of ignorance among consumers of the benefits of physical activity and the adverse effects of excess body-weight.