TY - JOUR T1 - The gap between food-based dietary guidelines and usual food consumption in Belgium, 2004. JF - Public Health Nutr Y1 - 2009 A1 - Stefanie Vandevijvere A1 - De Vriese, Stéphanie A1 - Huybrechts, Inge A1 - Moreau, Michel A1 - Temme, Elisabeth A1 - De Henauw, Stefaan A1 - De Backer, Guy A1 - Kornitzer, Marcel A1 - Leveque, Alain A1 - Herman Van Oyen KW - ADOLESCENT KW - Adult KW - Age Distribution KW - Aged KW - Belgium KW - Beverages KW - Dairy Products KW - Diet KW - Educational Status KW - Energy Intake KW - Female KW - Fruit KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Mental Recall KW - middle aged KW - Nutrition Policy KW - NUTRITION SURVEYS KW - Nutritional Physiological Phenomena KW - Nutritive Value KW - Obesity KW - Sex Distribution KW - Surveys and Questionnaires KW - Vegetables KW - Young adult AB -

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.

VL - 12 CP - 3 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18426635?dopt=Abstract M3 - 10.1017/S1368980008002164 ER -