INTAKE OF VERY-LONG-CHAIN N-3 FATTY-ACIDS RELATED TO SOCIAL-STATUS AND LIFE-STYLE

Objectives: Little information is available about the intake of very-l ong-chain n-3 fatty acids in random samples of populations. We examine d if the intake of these fatty acids was associated with gender, socia l status and lifestyle in a similar way as other indicators for a heal thy diet in a nationwide survey.Design and subjects: Data were obtaine d from self-administered quantitative food frequency questionnaires fi lled in by a representative sample of Norwegian men and women, aged 16 -79 y. 3144 (63%) of the invited subjects responded with acceptable qu estionnaires. Results: Daily intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was on average 0.9 g/d and 0.4% of total energy was derived from thes e fatty acids. Energy derived from very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was slightly higher among men than women, and two-fold higher among subje cts aged 60-79 vs 16-29 y. White collar workers had higher intake of v ery-long-chain n-3 fatty acids than blue collar workers. Men and women in the highest quartile of intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids had 2-3 E% higher fat intake (mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fatty a cids), as compared to individuals in the lowest quartile. They also ha d 3-4 fold higher daily intake of retinol and vitamin D, as well as 20 -50% higher intake of fruits and vegetables, dietary fibre and vitamin C. Conclusions: Intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was correla ted to indicators for healthy dietary habits. However, contrary-to man y other indicators of a healthy diet, energy derived from very-long-ch ain n-3 fatty acids was not significantly associated with female gende r or non-smoking.