n-3 Fatty acid intake from marine food products among Quebecers: comparison to worldwide recommendations.

摘要

Objective: To quantify marine food product consumption and EPA+DHA intake among Quebecers, and to compare the results with the most recent recommendations. Design: Data were obtained from a representative cross-sectional telephone survey (June 2006). Intakes of marine food product species and EPA+DHA were estimated from a validated FFQ on the consumption of marine food products during the previous month. Prevalence of fish oil consumption in the last 6 months was also assessed. Setting: Province of Quebec (Canada). Subjects: A representative sample (n 1001) of adults in the province of Quebec. Of these, eight were excluded from the present analysis (n 993). Results: Mean and median EPA+DHA intakes for all participants were estimated to be 291 mg/d (SEM 11) and 207 mg/d, respectively. 85.0% (95% CI 82.7, 87.3) of Quebecers had an EPA+DHA intake lower than 500 mg/d, which is the amount internationally recommended for the prevention of CVD. Mean and median DHA intakes among women of childbearing age (n 128, 18-34 years) were estimated to be 169 mg/d (SEM 17) and 126 mg/d, respectively. Of these women, 27.7% had a daily intake >200 mg DHA and 15.9% had an intake >300 mg DHA. We noted that 13% of Quebecers take >=1 capsule of fish oil/d. Conclusions: Consumption of marine food products and EPA+DHA among Quebecers clearly appears to be lower than international recommendations. Since EPA+DHA confer health benefits and may reduce health costs, strategies to increase their consumption should be implemented to improve public health in Quebec.