Dietary intakes and food sources of fatty acids for Belgian women, focused on n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Lipids. 2006 May;41(5):415-22. doi: 10.1007/s11745-006-5115-5.

Abstract

The intake of fat, saturated and monounsaturated FA (SFA and MUFA), and omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA has been estimated in 641 Belgian women (age 18-39 y). Their food intake was recorded using a 2-d food diary. The PUFA included were linoleic (LA), alpha-linolenic (LNA), arachidonic (AA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. The mean total fat intake corresponded to 34.3% of total energy intake (E). The mean intake of the FA groups corresponded to 13.7%, 13.1%, and 6.0% of E, for SFA, MUFA, and PUFA, respectively. The mean intake of LA was 5.3% of E and of LNA was 0.6% of E, with a mean LA/LNA ratio of 8.7. The mean intake of AA was 0.03% of E. The mean intake of EPA, DPA, and DHA was 0.04%, 0.01%, and 0.06% of E, respectively. According to the Belgian recommendations, the total fat and SFA intake was too high for about three-quarters of the population. The mean LA and overall n-6 PUFA intake corresponded with the recommendation, with part of the population exceeding the upper level. Conversely, the population showed a large deficit for LNA and n-3 PUFA. The major food source for LA and LNA was fats and oils, followed by cereal products. The main sources of long-chain PUFA were fish and seafood, and meat, poultry, and eggs. From a public health perspective, it seems desirable to tackle the problem of low n-3 PUFA intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium
  • Diet Surveys
  • Dietary Fats / analysis
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / analysis
  • Energy Intake
  • Fatty Acids / analysis*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / analysis*
  • Female
  • Food Analysis*
  • Humans
  • Meat / analysis
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Seafood / analysis

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6