TRENDS IN THE DIETARY HABITS OF THE BULGARIAN POPULATION DURING A NINE YEARS PERIOD-2010-2018

Abstract

Objective: Bulgaria is one of the European countries with highest rate of cardiovascular morbidity and -mortality. In attempt to find out the reasons for this negative fact, we tried to analyze the changes in the typical Bulgarian diet during the last decade. Design and method: We used the household consumption data from National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria for the mean consumption of the main food products per person per year. The available information included period of 9 years-2010-2018. Results: There is a decrease of the consumption of sugar from 8.5 kg/person/year to 6.9 kg/person/year, but there is increase of the consumption of sugary (from 1.4 to 1.7 kg/person/year) and chocolate products (from 1.1 to 1.5 kg/person/year). There is also significant increase of the intake of soft drinks (known to be the most powerful source of hidden sugar) - from 50.9 to 66.5 l/person/year. The salt consumption slightly decreased (2.0 to 1.8 kg/person/year) but the intake of dried and processed (and very salty) meat products increased from 3.2 to 4.0 kg/person/year. The intake of the traditional Bulgarian sunflower oil decreased from 14.1 to 12 l/person/year, but the consumption of butter increased from 0.2 to 1.0 kg/person/year. The consumption of red meat increased and that was mainly due to increased intake of pork-from 6.9 to 10.5 kg/person/year. On the opposite- the trend of increased consumption of fish until year 2013 was negatively reversed in the following years, reaching the lowest point of 5.2 kg/person/year in 2018. The consumption of fruits and vegetables remained relatively stable, but there is a negative trend of decreased intake of local products (rich of antioxidants) such as apples, pepper and cabbage. Alcohol consumption increased significantly (23.6–31 l/person/year), mainly due to increased beer intake. And finally, despite of law restrictions- the intake of cigarettes increased from 591 to 674 person/year. Conclusions: Our conclusion is that the trends in the dietary habits of the Bulgarian population during a nine years period-2010–2018 are generally negative. We must improve the level of dietary education from early age and involve the whole society in this process.