THE NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OF THE DIET OF TH E ADULT-POPULATION OF GENEVA

Diet of the Swiss population has probably changed over the last 10 yea rs, but these changes have not been recorded yet by nutritional studie s. In the present study, 3 registered dieticians interviewed over the telephone 626 adults, resident of Canton Geneva, using a 24 hour recal l. Interviews were performed during the 7 days of the week. Participan ts were randomly selected according to their age, sex and nationality. Participation was 80%. The following caloric (C) and nutritional inta kes in proteins (P) lipids (L), carbohydrates (CH) and alcohol (A) wer e recorded: In non Swiss men: C = 2464 kcal/j., P = 16.2%, L = 32.4%, CH = 44.4%, A = 7.0%; in Swiss men: C = 2752 kcal/j., P = 15.3%, L. = 34.0%, CH = 43.5%, A = 7.1%; in non Swiss women. C = 1897 kcal/j., P = 16.4%, L = 35.1%, CH = 46.5%, A = 2.4%; in Swiss women: C = 1865 kcal /j., P = 15.0%, L = 35.3%, CH = 46.0%, A = 3.2%. Total caloric intake and iron intake decreased with age. Older women ate less calcium than younger In summary the most important determinants of diet are age and sex. Proportion of lipids is relatively low in both men and women. Sm all differences related to nationality were observed in men.