CONSUMPTION, ALIMENTARY HABITS AND NUTRIT IONAL STATE OF THE POPULATION OF REUS, SPAIN .9. THE EVOLUTION OF FOOD-CONSUMPTION, THE PARTICIPATION IN ENERGY AND NUTRIENT INTAKE AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL LEVEL FROM 1983 TO 1993

BACKGROUND: Mediterranean diet (a greater intake of olive oil, cereals , legumes, fruits and vegetables), is related to a lower prevalence of some associated diseases. The aim of the study was to observe in a Sp anish population the evolution of dietary intake, whether there could be changes in the contribution of different kinds of food in energy in take, and the importance of socioeconomic and cultural factors which c ould influence this phenomenon. METHODS: Dietary intake was evaluated using the 24 hours recall method in a representative sample (n = 941, age range = 10-69) of a Reus population (Spain). This longitudinal stu dy consisted of 70% of the sample studied in 1983 using identical meth odology. RESULTS: From 1983 to 1993, we observed a significant increme nt of lactic derivatives (50.0%), vegetables (12.5%) and fruit intake (10.6%), and a significant decrease in tubercles (-56%), eggs (-15.6%) , sugars (-13.0%), milk (-9.2%), and cereal (-7.6%) intake. Meat, fish , and visible fat intake remained unchanged. The intake of the 9 group s of food was different for men and women along this time period. We o bserved an increment in animal sources to our diet, primarily because of an increment in lactic derivative intake and a decrease in tubercle s intake. Differences observed in 1983 between social classes related to different kinds of nutrients had nearly disappeared in 1993. Medium and high social classes followed very similar diets. However, the gro up of population with lowest socioeconomic status had a lower intake o f energy and nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Our diet consisted of the main ch aracteristics of the typical mediterranean diet, although we observed a decrease in cereal intake and an increase in food of animal origin. Differences observed in 1983 related to dietary habits and nutritional profile between medium and high social classes, disappeared in 1993. However, there exists a small group of people of low social class whic h had a lower intake of energy and other nutrients.