[Food and nutrient consumption in Spain in 1940-1988 (and II). Comparative study of the main sources of information on food consumption].

BACKGROUND

This paper has two objectives. The first is to examine the consistency of the main nutritional studies carried out in Spain over the last fifty years. The second is to use these studies to describe the changes in the Spanish diet over this period and to characterize the present dietary pattern.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have used three types of studies. First, food balance sheets elaborated by Barbancho, FAO, OECD and the Department of Agriculture. Second, surveys on the foods purchased by population groups, in particular the household budget surveys, and the "panel de consumo alimentario" from the Department of Agriculture. Third, food consumption surveys from Catalonia, Vasque Country, Murcia, Madrid, and Reus.

RESULTS

Protein, lipid and total caloric intake have increased over the last fifty years. Carbohydrate intake has been stable. Caloric intake from lipids has increased, caloric intake from protein has been stable and that from carbohydrates has decreased. All studies are consistent in that, from 1980 onwards, caloric intake from protein has been 12.5-16.7%, caloric intake from carbohydrates has been 39.3-48.1%, and that from lipids has been 36.6-46.0%. The monounsaturated/saturated ratio has been 1.2-1.7 and the polyunsaturated/saturated ratio 0.4-0.7. All data sources show a high consumption of foods typical of the Mediterranean diet, in particular fruit, vegetables, fish and vegetable oil, rich in unsaturated fats. Consistency among data sources is higher when data are expressed as percentage of total caloric intake than when they are expelled in absolute quantities.

CONCLUSIONS

All data sources suggest that the Spanish diet has changed with the economic development, but it still keeps most of the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet.