Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:To examine trends in food availability for Portugal during the last 4 decades (1974–2011) and analyze such changes in accordance with the nutritional transition theory.Methods:Food balance sheets from Portugal from 1974 to 2011 were analyzed for potential trends by linear regression to study the availability of protein, fat, carbohydrate, ethanol, and total energy and the availability of the following food groups: (i) cereals and tubers; (ii) vegetables; (iii) fruit; (iv) milk; (v) meat, fish, and eggs; (vi) fat; (vii) pulses; (viii) alcoholic beverages; and (ix) sugar and sweeteners. A comparison regarding protein, fat, and carbohydrate availability and WHO recommendation was also performed.Results:The data suggest that in Portugal food availability and consumption have changed throughout the analyzed period. The national availability of most food groups increased considerably, which also resulted in an increase in daily energy. The consumption of cereals and tubers, pulses, and alcohol diminished during this time. Energy availability increased by 406 kcal/person/day, a result from an increase in protein and fat. Protein availability was in accordance with WHO recommendations during the 4 decades analyzed, whereas carbohydrate have always been below the recommended level and fat has been above the recommended level since the second decade (1984).Conclusion:Portugal has crossed into a nutritional transition over the last 4 decades, revealing characteristics of a pattern of degenerative diseases. The country may experience a new nutritional transition that would involve positive changes of behavior, as observed in other developed countries, driven by community multisectorial strategies.
Highlights
Epidemiological transition has been defined as the combination of the demographic transition model with changing patterns of mortality, fertility, life expectancy, and causes of death
The last stage of this model has been characterized by an aging population and high mortality rates attributable to cardiac and cerebrovascular ailments, chronic lung and metabolic diseases, and cancers, that is, the major causes of death were noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).[1]
Populations worldwide have undergone a series of nutritional transitions, in parallel to the country’s economic development usually followed by improved food availability
Summary
Epidemiological transition has been defined as the combination of the demographic transition model with changing patterns of mortality, fertility, life expectancy, and causes of death. The last stage of this model has been characterized by an aging population and high mortality rates attributable to cardiac and cerebrovascular ailments, chronic lung and metabolic diseases, and cancers, that is, the major causes of death were noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).[1]. Populations worldwide have undergone a series of nutritional transitions, in parallel to the country’s economic development usually followed by improved food availability. The concept of nutritional transition integrates the process of demographic and epidemiological transition. Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article a Faculty of Biotechnology, Catholic University of Portugal, b Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Porto, c Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal.
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