NUTRITION PROMOTION AND DIETARY CHANGE AT OFFSHORE OIL INSTALLATIONS IN THE NORWEGIAN SECTOR OF THE NORTH-SEA

Objective: This paper examines whether diet had changed at platforms i n the Norwegian sector of the North Sea between 1985 and 1993 and if t his was caused by nutrition promotive activities, including the use of a health handbook (HHB). Design: The report is based on two cross-sec tional surveys, one in 1985 and one in 1993, with special reference to cardiovascular risk. Standardised questionnaires, structured and open interviews were used, incorporating information on food intake and av ailability, and socioeconomic variables. Subjects and setting: The stu dy population was 194 healthy men in 1985 and 336 in 1993. The mean ag e was 35 years in 1985 (range 18-57) and 38 (range 21-59) in 1993. Res ults: From 1985 to 1993 the mean intake of foods and nutrients changed in the same direction as recommended by the Norwegian National Nutrit ion Council and according to the HHB. The mean energy percentage from fat was 12% lower in 1993 than in 1985. Overall 56% of the workers sai d they had changed diet since 1985. Those who had changed, consumed mo re cereals, fruits, more low fat milk, and more fruit juice, and had l ower energy percentage from fat, lower intake of dietary cholesterol, more intake of vitamin C and dietary fibre in 1993 than those who had not changed. About 70% of those who had received the HHB had changed t heir diet, against 50% of those who had not. The use of the HHB was in versely related to intake of energy, energy from fat, and dietary chol esterol, and positively related to vitamin C and dietary fibre. Conclu sion: It is concluded that the dietary changes are likely to be caused by the interventions, including the HHB.