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Nutritional characteristics of a rural southern italy population: the ventimiglia di sicilia project

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, ISSN: 1541-1087, Vol: 21, Issue: 6, Page: 523-529
2002
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Article Description

Objective: Knowledge of alimentary habits among populations permits a better definition of appropriate public health interventions. We designed the epidemiological project “Ventimiglia di Sicilia” to characterize the risk profile in a rural village with low total cholesterol levels and low early cardiovascular mortality but with a large prevalence of overweight and obesity, which previously have been significantly associated with total mortality. Methods: 488 individuals of age 20 to 69 years were included in the dietary survey conducted by a seven-day food record. Results: Alimentary habits were characterized by high consumption of total and complex carbohydrates (respectively 52.5 ± 7.6% and 46.6 ± 8.2% of daily energy) and by a low cholesterol intake (92.5 ± 35.0 mg/1000 kcal/day). Fat intake was 34.7 ± 7.7% of daily energy due to a higher consumption of monounsaturated fats in respect to saturated fats (respectively 20.5 ± 5.1% and 10.2 ± 2.9% of daily energy). In particular, in this population there was a large consumption of bread, pasta, fresh vegetables, olive oil and fruits. We also observed an excess of total calories (about 2900 kcal/day in men and 2100 kcal/day in women) not balanced by a high degree of physical activity levels. Furthermore we found a significant higher total and saturated fat consumption in the youngest individuals and in people with higher educational levels. Conclusions: Dietary habits of Ventimiglia di Sicilia still follow the nutritional characteristics typical of the Mediterranean diet. The high total calorie intake indicates a quantitative more than qualitative problem, which may account the large prevalence of overweight and obesity and may represent a public health issue that needs to be corrected in such a rural population. © American 2002 College of Nutrition.

Bibliographic Details

Barbagallo, Carlo M; Cavera, Giovanni; Sapienza, Michelangelo; Noto, Davide; Cefalù, Angelo B; Polizzi, Francesco; Onorato, Francesco; Rini, GiovanBattista; Di Fede, Gaetana; Pagano, Michele; Montalto, Giuseppe; Rizzo, Manfredi; Descovich, GianCarlo; Notarbartolo, Alberto; Averna, Maurizio R

Informa UK Limited

Medicine; Nursing

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