Consumption of the trans fats and fats in adult females in urban and rural areas of Ludhiana: a population-based study

Background: In India, fast foods are becoming part of our daily lifestyle. Foods prepared in restaurants are very high in trans fats (TFs). Also, alarmingly about 400,000 tonnes of snacks, which are largely prepared in TFs are consumed every year. According to recent studies, TFs levels are 5 to 12 times higher in the oils consumed in India as compared to the world standard. The WHO recommends that TFs intake be less than 1 percent of total caloric intake. The objective of the study was to assess the consumption of TFs and fats in foods by the population in urban and rural areas.Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. All adult females above 18 years of age who took an active part in kitchen were interviewed. Their dietary patterns were assessed. The sampling was done using a systematic random sampling technique and 200 participants each in rural and urban areas were selected.Results: 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding WHO limit of less than 1 percent TFs consumption. The median value of TFs consumption was higher in urban area (0.575 grams/day) than in rural area (0.427 grams/day).Conclusions: The study concludes that 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding TFs consumption. Therefore, a proactive approach to ensure that these WHO regulations have the full intended effect needs to be taken.