Contribution of foods to trans unsaturated fatty acid intake in a group of Irish adults.

OBJECTIVE

To assess fat intake with particular focus on trans unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA) intake and the major sources of TUFA among Irish individuals using a Fat Intake Questionnaire (FIQ), designed specifically for an Irish context.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 105 healthy volunteers (43 females, 62 males; aged 23-63 years) were recruited from Dublin Airport Medical centre, Republic of Ireland. Dietary intake was assessed using an 88 food item/food group semi-quantitative FIQ, which was developed and validated for the Irish population.

RESULTS

Mean energy intake was 10.6 MJ day(-1), and 34% was provided by fat. Saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid contributed 13%, 10%, 6%, 2% and 5% of energy respectively. Mean TUFA intake was 5.4 g day(-1) (range 0.3-26). Margarine spreads provided the majority of TUFAs (1.93 g day(-1)), but the contribution was significantly greater for men compared with women (2.35 g day(-1) versus 1.33 g day(-1); P = 0.024). Milk and meat also contributed more to TUFA intake for men compared with women, but confectionery was a significantly greater contributor for women (8.6% versus 3.1% respectively, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the mean TUFA intake of the total group was 5.4 g day(-1) and was within current dietary recommendations (2% energy intake), some individuals had intakes as high as 26 g day(-1). Public health efforts are therefore required to reduce TUFA intake in those individuals with high intakes.