Compliance with dietary guidelines in the Spanish population. Results fromthe Catalan Nutrition Survey

The aim of the present study was to analyse the different food and nutritio n profiles of the section of the Spanish population having either a low or a high intake of energy, fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and fibre in orde r to analyse the compliance with dietary guidelines. Analyses were made fro m the Catalan Nutrition Survey, comprising a random sample of 1600 people a ged 18 to 60. Dietary information was obtained by means of two 24 h recall, and food and energy intake was categorized according to the quartiles of f at, SFA and fibre intake. The results show the food consumption patterns th at distinguish low versus high fat, SFA and fibre eaters in the Spanish pop ulation, and facilitate the establishment of food-based dietary guidelines in Spain and other Mediterranean countries.