Last April, a study by the National Center of Biotechnology Information in the United States, led by Renata Micha, was published in the British Medical Journal, in which global fat consumption by country, age and sex between 1990 and 2010 has been quantified. This is an investigation that included 266 national surveys among adults from 113 countries (representing approximately 82 percent of the world's population).
One of the main objectives is to bring the information to the Governments of the different countries, to influence public health policies worldwide. You will not find references to children, but I think it is important for two reasons: if we have children it is very important how and what we eat, in order to set a good example.
The second reason is that it is expected that by 2020, almost 75 percent of deaths and reduced life expectancy due to some type of disability, may be attributable to chronic noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, ... Increase in these diseases is expected in low and middle income countries. Knowing the causes, the risk can be avoided.
Among the most identified causes are diet and lifestyle; and the investigation identifies different types of fats that may have an impact on public health. In general, it is considered that a poor diet, which contributes little from the point of view of nutrition, is the only modifiable cause of ill health in the world.
AdvertisingAnd although the study identifies many relationships between types of fats (briefly explained here) in the diet and onset of disease; I think we should keep the balance in the diet, and the need to enhance the so-called useful fats, against trans and saturated fats.
However, it has been observed that despite the information, the consumption of these two types of fat had been maintained, although fortunately it had increased that of polyunsaturated (Omega). They have been collecting data by age groups and differentiating sexes, it is a very thorough investigation with the purpose of improving public health.
According to the results, in Spain they have registered adequate intakes for all consumptions, except saturated fats, which is worrisome because it could become an epidemiological problem.
