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Presentation of the results of a study on the diet of Catalan population

By 29 October 2003November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 29.10.2003

Presentation of the results of a study on the diet of Catalan population

According to the results of the Survey on Diet and Nutrition 2002-2003, presented today by the Dept. of Health and Social Security of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the inhabitants of Catalonia follow a typical Mediterranean diet. However, the survey, coordinated by the PCB , shows a decrease in the ingestion of fruit, vegetables and fish and an increase in mass-produced pastries with respect to the last survey conducted from 1992 to 1993.

63% of the interviewees reported that they regularly followed a Mediterranean diet. Olive oil continued to be the main oil used in homes in Catalonia, both for frying and for cooking and salad dressings. The use of this oil, particularly virgin oil, has increased by 20%. The ingestion of fruit and vegetables has fallen by about 10 in recent years.

Furthermore, 48% of those interviewed considered their diet to be more balanced than 10 years ago. Olive oil, vegetables, legumes, milk and brown bread were the food types considered most healthy.

The results of the survey also show that only 16% of the interviewees breakfasted properly, by this we understand milk products, cereals and fruit; and that the custom of lunch with two dishes, with or without dessert, persists (73%). With respect to the evening meal, the number of food types included has decreased. One finding we highlight is that in the last ten years the number of meals taken outside the home has increased, above all lunch. Consequently, 72% of the interviewees reported having lunch at home while in the survey conducted 1992-1993 this figure was 83%.

The Survey on Diet and Nutrition 2002-2003 also collected data on geographic differences, the ingestion of calories and nutrients, and the following of diets, weight loss diets and the use of dietary supplements. This transversal study is included in the Diet and Nutrition Programme of the Directorate General of Public Health. It included 3,300 interviews, given to people aged from 10 to 80 years from around Catalonia and was performed between 21st March 2002 to 30th June 2003. Several scientific and health care institutions in Catalonia collaborated in this survey.

The Research Group on Community Nutrition, directed by the Lluís Serra, full professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, develops projects on dietary policy and nutrition guides, in addition to several lines of research on diet-related diseases.