Title
Intake of fatty acids in Western Europe with emphasis on trans fatty acids: The TRANSFAIR study
Author
Hulshof, K.F.A.M.
Erp van - Baart, M.A.
Anttolainen, M.
Becker, W.
Church, S.M.
Couet, C.
Hermann-Kunz, E.
Kesteloot, H.
Leth, T.
Martins, I.
Moreiras, O.
Moschandreas, J.
Pizzoferrato, L.
Rimestad, A.H.
Thorgeirsdottir, H.
van Amelsvoort, J.M.M.
Aro, A.
Kafatos, A.G.
Lanzmann-Petithory, D.
van Poppel, G.
Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek TNO
Publication year
1999
Abstract
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 and/or 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 g/d and 1.7-4.1 g/d, 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(18:1) 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. Sponsorship: Commission of the European Communities (AIR 2421); National Funds; European Industries supported the chemical analyses.
Subject
Diet
Total fat
Trans and other fatty acids
Western European countries
fatty acid
monounsaturated fatty acid
polyunsaturated fatty acid
saturated fatty acid
adolescent
adult
aged
article
Belgium
caloric intake
child
fat intake
female
Finland
food analysis
food intake
France
Germany
Greece
human
human experiment
Iceland
infant
Italy
male
Netherlands
normal human
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
trans isomer
United Kingdom
Western Europe
Adult
Dietary Fats
Energy Intake
Europe
Fatty Acids
Female
Humans
Male
Stereoisomerism
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TNO identifier
234953
ISSN
0954-3007
Source
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 53 (2), 143-157
Document type
article