Dietary factors and pulmonary function: a cross sectional study in middle aged men from three European countries

Background-Results of epidemiological studies relating individual dietary f actors to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are inconsistent. To evaluate the cross sectional association of dietary factors with pulmonary function, data were collected from middle aged men in three European count ries. Methods-The data were collected in the 1960s in Finland (n = 1248), Italy ( n = 1386), and the Netherlands (n = 691). Dietary intake was estimated usin g the cross-check dietary history method. Forced expiratory volume (FEV0.75 or FEV1, here called FEV) was measured by spirometry. Associations were ad justed for age, height, smoking, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption , and energy intake. Results-FEV was positively associated with intake of vitamin E in Finland, with intake of fruit in Italy, and with intake of beta-carotene in the Neth erlands. In all three countries men with intakes of both fruit and vegetabl es above the median had a higher FEV than those with a low intake of both f oods. The difference in FEV ranged from 110 to 169 ml before and from 53 to 118 ml after energy adjustment. Differences in FEV for intake of three ant ioxidants (vitamins C and E and beta-carotene) above versus below the media n ranged from 61 to 181 ml before and from -35 to 58 ml after energy adjust ment. Intake of fish was not associated with FEV. Conclusions-In three European countries a high intake of fruit and vegetabl es was positively associated with pulmonary function. A high intake of all three antioxidants tended to be positively associated with pulmonary functi on before, but not after, adjustment for energy intake. Associations of ind ividual antioxidants with pulmonary function were not consistent across cou ntries.