Evidence Hub

Fatty acid intakes and food sources in a population of older Australians

Flood VM, Webb KL, Rochtchina E, Kelly B, Mitchell P

Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 2007

9 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To document dietary intakes and food sources of fatty acids among older Australians.

DESIGN: Population-based survivor cohort.

SETTING: Two postcode areas in the Blue Mountains, West of Sydney, Australia.

SUBJECTS: In 1997-9, 2334 people aged 55 years and over, participated in a 5-year follow-up of the cohort attending the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES). Dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire by 2005 persons (86% of those examined). Types of fats were classified as saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and trans unsaturated fatty acids.

RESULTS: Mean total fat intake contributed 31.3% of daily energy intake (12.2% SFA, 11.2% MUFA, 5.0% PUFA). Mean omega 3 (n-3) PUFA intake comprised 0.5% of energy intake (long chain n-3 PUFA provided mean intake of 260mg, consisting of eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids) and the n-6: n-3 PUFA ratio was 9:1. The main fatty acids contributing to the diet were palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Meat products were the highest contributors to total fat and MUFA intakes; milk products were the highest contributor to SFA intakes; and fat spreads and oils, and breads and cereals were the main food groups contributing to PUFA intakes. Fish was the main source of long chain n-3 fatty acids.

CONCLUSIONS: This population-based descriptive study documents fatty acid intakes in a population of older…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 9 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free