Food and nutrient consumption of two rural Italian population groups followed for twenty years.

The food and nutrient consumption was examined in two rural population groups of 22 middle age men of Italy in connection with a longitudinal study of coronary heart disease. Most of the data were collected with use of the individual weighing method. In the 20 year interval increases and decreases were observed in the consumption of various foods, reflecting the influence of economic and biological factors. In regard to nutrients, in Crevalcore (Bologna) the original high level of some macronutrients and vitamin A progressively decreased. In Montegiorgio (Marche) the original high level of fat intake - in relation to recommended intake - progressively increased, while energy was throughout close to recommended values. The endemic deficit in riboflavin intake progressively decreased, while that for vitamin A remained practically constant.