Meal patterns in middle-aged men in southern Germany: Results from the MONICA Augsburg dietary survey 1984/85

Seven-day food records of the MONICA project Augsburg dietary survey, which were collected in 1984/85 from 899 men aged 45-64 years (random sample), w ere used to analyse meal patterns. The combination of the three traditional meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with one eating event between was most fr equent, followed by two meals with two eating events between and three main meals without any other eating event (31.4 vs. 31.0 vs. 15.6% of all repor ted days). Breakfast delivered 17, lunch 29 and dinner 33% of the total dai ly energy intake; all other eating events delivered 21%. The mean contribut ion of the three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner to daily protein intake was 14, 36 and 36%, to fat intake 17, 33 and 35% and to carbohydrate intak e 23, 25 and 29%, respectively. Data on meal patterns are important in a co mprehensive description of dietary habits of a population for a variety of reasons. (C) 1999 Academic Press.