Educational differences in the diet of Finnish adults and the associations between education and the determinants and facilitators of dietary fat quality.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to elucidate differences in adults' diet by education, and to analyse the associations between dietary facilitators, education and dietary fat quality. DESIGN: In all, one-third of subjects from the national FINRISK health survey were invited to participate in the FINDIET 2007 Survey. A 48 h dietary interview was used for dietary data and personal background data were collected by the health survey questionnaire. SETTING: Representative sample from five regions in Finland in spring 2007. SUBJECTS: A total of 1576 adults, participation rate 60 %. RESULTS: Oil used in cooking differed by education. Instead perception of cardiovascular risk, or the following of a cholesterol-lowering diet, were equal across all educational categories. The diet of men with low education contained less protein and carbohydrates, more fat and more SFA and MUFA than that of highly educated men. The diet of women with low education contained less PUFA, vitamin C and vitamin E than in the highly educated category. High education remained a significant determinant for the lower intake of SFA in men, and for the higher intake of PUFA in women, after adjusting for the determinants and facilitators of dietary behaviour and age. The lower intake of SFA was also associated with following a cholesterol-lowering diet in both genders. In addition to education, the intake of unsaturated fatty acids was determined by the oil used in cooking by women, and by frequent lunches served by caterers for men. CONCLUSIONS: In dietary behaviour, awareness and reporting of cholesterol-lowering diet seem to indicate a tendency to control the intake of saturated fat. Health messages are likely to enhance tools for increasing the intake of PUFA, in addition to reducing the intake of SFA.

FINDIET 2007 Survey: energy and nutrient intakes.

OBJECTIVE: The National FINDIET surveys are carried out every 5 years to monitor dietary habits and nutrient intake of the adult Finnish population. The latest survey was carried out in 2007. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. Dietary assessment was carried out using 48 h recall interviews. A picture book of food portions was used to estimate portion sizes and the national Food Composition Database Fineli(R) to calculate nutrient intakes. SETTING: A representative sample taken in five regions in Finland. SUBJECTS: A total of 730 men and 846 women aged 24-64 years. RESULTS: The percentage contribution of fat to the total energy intake was 33 % in men and 31 % in women. The respective percentages for SFA in men and women were 13 % and 12 %, respectively, and 0.4 % for trans fatty acids in both genders. The average intakes of folate, vitamin D and fibre fell below the recommended levels, whereas the average salt intake was somewhat higher than the recommendations. Women's diet was higher in protein, dietary fibre and sucrose compared to that of men. CONCLUSIONS: According to the FINDIET 2007 Survey, the dietary habits of the adult Finnish population have headed in a positive direction overall. However, although the quality of the fats consumed has continued to improve, and the intake of salt has decreased, they still do not meet the recommended levels of intake. Similarly, the average intakes of folate and vitamin D continue to fall below the recommendations. There is also a need to increase fibre intake and to cut down the intake of sucrose.

Quality of diet and food choices of Finnish young men: a sociodemographic and health behaviour approach.

OBJECTIVE: Eating habits of Finns have improved dramatically in 40 years. The proportion of fat in the diet has decreased and vegetable and fruit consumption increased. Knowledge of Finnish young men's dietary habits is limited. The aim was to assess food choices and quality of diet among young men and to analyse how background and health behaviour factors explain it. DESIGN: In 2007, data on eating habits, sociodemographic background factors and health behaviours of 17-21-year-old men (n 2905) entering military service were collected by self-administrated questionnaire. Two indexes - core food index (CFI) and extra food index (EFI) - were formed to describe daily and redundant snacking-type eating, respectively. Associations of background factors and health behaviours on the indexes were analysed by general linear modelling. RESULTS: In all, 13 % consumed fruits and berries daily and 8 % consumed vegetables, whereas 24 % consumed pizza and 19 % consumed hamburgers more than once a week. CFI increased with educational level (P < 0.001) and was explained by background and health behaviour (smoking, physical activity and eating breakfast). EFI was inversely associated with BMI (P < 0.001) and explained by health behaviour: (smoking, physical activity, drinking beer and eating breakfast). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in early adulthood, eating habits cluster with other health behaviours among men. In this age group, education is associated with core food but not with extra food eating habits. Furthermore, seasonal variation is seen in both types of eating. When promoting healthy eating, a distinction between core foods and extra foods by using feasible indexes will be helpful in targeting the efforts.

Nutrient intake and food use of Finnish conscripts in garrison, on leave, and in encampment conditions.

BACKGROUND: 80% of Finnish men fill their civic duty and complete military service. Conscripts' dietary habits have been studied limitedly. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine conscripts' nutrient intake and food use in garrison, on leave, and in encampment conditions. METHODS: This study examined volunteer conscripts in: (1) garrison and leave conditions (n=47) and (2) encampment conditions (n=31). Data were collected using food diaries. RESULTS: The proportion of energy derived from fat was 32.9% at garrison and 36.5% at encampment and on leave. Saturated fat constituted 12.5 energy % at garrison, 15.0 energy % at encampment, and 15.3 energy % on leave. Sucrose intake was high at encampment (17.7 energy %) and on leave (13.0 energy %). Salt, vitamin, and mineral intakes exceeded national recommendations in all conditions. Fiber intakes did not reach recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: At garrison and encampment, nutrient intakes reached recommendations. In free time, conscripts favored energy-rich nutrient-poor foods, which warrants intervening and dietary education.

Sustained reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention: follow-up of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle interventions can prevent the deterioration of impaired glucose tolerance to manifest type 2 diabetes, at least as long as the intervention continues. In the extended follow-up of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, we assessed the extent to which the originally-achieved lifestyle changes and risk reduction remain after discontinuation of active counselling. METHODS: Overweight, middle-aged men (n=172) and women (n=350) with impaired glucose tolerance were randomly assigned to intensive lifestyle intervention or control group. After a median of 4 years of active intervention period, participants who were still free of diabetes were further followed up for a median of 3 years, with median total follow-up of 7 years. Diabetes incidence, bodyweight, physical activity, and dietary intakes of fat, saturated fat, and fibre were measured. FINDINGS: During the total follow-up, the incidence of type 2 diabetes was 4.3 and 7.4 per 100 person-years in the intervention and control group, respectively (log-rank test p=0.0001), indicating 43% reduction in relative risk. The risk reduction was related to the success in achieving the intervention goals of weight loss, reduced intake of total and saturated fat and increased intake of dietary fibre, and increased physical activity. Beneficial lifestyle changes achieved by participants in the intervention group were maintained after the discontinuation of the intervention, and the corresponding incidence rates during the post-intervention follow-up were 4.6 and 7.2 (p=0.0401), indicating 36% reduction in relative risk. INTERPRETATION: Lifestyle intervention in people at high risk for type 2 diabetes resulted in sustained lifestyle changes and a reduction in diabetes incidence, which remained after the individual lifestyle counselling was stopped.