Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To find the eating habits of the adult population of an urban health district. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care. Urban health centre. PARTICIPANTS: 260 people (124 men and 136 women) over 20 (mean age of 43.6 +/- 17.1; 42.0 +/- 16.4 for men and 45.1 +/- 17.7 for women), selected at random from among those living in the health district. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Through a semi-quantitative questionnaire on frequencies of food consumption, filled out in all cases by a single observer, the food habits of the participants and the nature of their diet during the previous week were determined. Intake of calories and biomolecules were calculated as a function of the kind of foods. RESULTS: Mean daily calory intake was 2612 +/- 836 kcal, 22.5% more than the theoretical requirements of this population. Mean daily protein ingested was 96.4 +/- 28 grams, fats 130.2 +/- 42.7 grams, and carbohydrates 277.1 +/- 123.3. 21.5 +/- 5.5% of the total calory intake were monounsaturated fatty acids; 7.7 +/- 4.3% were polyunsaturated; and 13 +/- 2.9% were saturated. Cholesterol consumption was 475 +/- 213.8 mg/day, and roughage consumed was 18.6 +/- 8.0 grams. CONCLUSIONS: The adult population of our health district consumed the typical, not very healthy Western-style diet: over-rich in calories, rich in saturated fats and cholesterol, and poor in roughage. Nevertheless, the diet conserved the high intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which is characteristic of traditional Mediterranean food.