Fatty acid composition of plasma lipids in healthy Portuguese children: Isthe Mediterranean diet disappearing?

Background: Adults and children in Mediterranean countries are believed to consume a Mediterranean-type diet wh ich is h ig her in monounsaturated a n d n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than compared to central and northern par ts of Europe and has preventive effects for cardiovascular risks. Subjects and Methods: in preschool children from Porto, Portugal (n = 35) and Munich , Germany (n = 18) we determined the plasma phospholipid fatty acid composi tion considered as a biomarker for dietary fat intake. Results: The plasma phospholipid contents of total saturated fatty acids are similar in both gr oups, but the Portuguese children have lower values of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results indicate that the food habits of Portuguese children are even less close to the traditional Mediterranean diet than those of German children, Conclusions: Efforts should be made to encourage young families as well as manufacturers and distributors of food products in Portugal to emphasize traditional Mediterranean food habits, e specially in young children. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.