Differences in Dietary Intakes among Lebanese Adults over a Decade: Results from Two National Surveys 1997-2008/2009

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 11; no. 8; p. 1738
• Main Authors: Nasreddine, Lara, Ayoub, Jennifer J, Hachem, Fatima, Tabbara, Jiana, Sibai, Abla M, Hwalla, Nahla, Naja, Farah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27.07.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Adult; adults; Age Factors; Appetite; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet - trends; Diet Surveys; dietary intakes; Eastern Mediterranean region; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Food; Health care; Humans; Lebanon; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition research; nutrition surveys; nutrition transition; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Obesity; Population; Public health; Recommended Dietary Allowances - trends; Sex Factors; Sociodemographics; Time Factors; Trends; Young Adult; Lebanon; Lebanon; dietary intakes; nutrition surveys; Eastern Mediterranean region; nutrition transition; adults
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu11081738

Amidst the ongoing societal and economic shifts in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR), this study aims at investigating temporal trends in food consumption and nutrient intakes among Lebanese adults, by age and sex. Data were derived from two national cross-sectional surveys conducted in Lebanon during two time periods (1997; 2008/2009). In both surveys, dietary assessment was based on 24-h recalls. The results, expressed as % energy intake (%EI), revealed a significant decrease ( < 0.001) in the consumption of bread, fruits, fresh fruit juices, milk and eggs, whereas the consumption of added fats and oils, poultry, cereals and cereal-based products, chips and salty crackers, sweetened milk and hot beverages increased over time ( < 0.001). A significant increase in dietary energy (kcal/day) and fat intake (%EI) was observed, coupled with decreases in carbohydrate intake (%EI) and dietary density of vitamin A and vitamin C (per 1000 kcal) ( < 0.001). These changes were noted in both genders and across age groups, albeit there were some disparities between groups. In conclusion, based on national nutrition surveys, this study is the first to characterize the nutrition transition in a middle-income country of the EMR, shedding light on priority areas for nutrition policies and interventions.