Definitions of healthy eating in Spain as compared to other European Member States

Study objective: To assess what healthy eating means for the European popul ation and whether this concept differs between Spain and other European Cou ntries. Design: A Pan-European survey was developed between October 1995 an d February 1996 by the Institute of European Food Studies (Dublin). Each su bject was asked to describe in his or her own words what he/she understood by 'healthy eating'. Comparisons were made among four groups of European co untries (Northern, Central, Spain, and other Mediterranean countries). Sett ing: The survey included participants from the 15 member states of the Euro pean Union, selecting quota-controlled samples to make them nationally repr esentative. Subjects: The questionnaire was completed by 14,331 persons, ap proximately 1000 from each country. Results: The responses were grouped int o 89 broad categories of similar answers concerning nutritional value and a fterwards these responses were collapsed to simplify the presentation. The definition of healthy eating such as 'more fiber' and 'less fat' was more p revalent in other States, members of the European Union than in Mediterrane an Countries, although the definition of 'balanced diet' was more frequentl y mentioned in Spain than in the rest of the European Union. Conclusions: O ur results show that the concept of 'balance and variety' is more prevalent in Spaniards than in other traditional Mediterranean countries. Difference s in the definitions of healthy eating among European countries could be ex plained, at least partially by differences in consumption patterns and in t he nutrition education.