More fruit, less alcohol and salt, the French diet has improved between 1999 and 2007, but efforts are still needed, particularly on intake of carbohydrates and fiber, and especially physical activity, reveals a study by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA), published Thursday.
Conducted between late 2005 and April 2007, the second study of Individual Domestic food consumption (INCA 2) are encouraging signs while stressing that the points remain to be improved.
It appears, in this study of over 4,000 participants, adults and children, that French adults and adolescents eat more fruit and have stabilized their energy intake, or even decreased in the case of children under 14 years .
Afssa regrets at the same time as the French diet is still too low in carbohydrates and fiber and that young adults do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Worse still, the trend rate of food breakdown observed in younger (15-35 years) has increased since 1999, notes the health agency.
Between 2006 and 2007, adults consumed a daily average of just over 2.7 kilograms of food and beverages. This represents an average of almost 2,200 kcal (1855 kcal / d for women and 2500 kcal / d for men). More than half of the food intake was absorbed liquid form.
Women tend to eat better than men, absorbing more dairy products, fish, fruit and soft drinks, even if they are hungry (biscuits, chocolate). Conversely, the base of the male consists of more meat, sausages, potatoes, dried fruit.
At the same time, AFSSA is a lack of physical activity especially among girls 15-17 years. “Less than half the adult population reaches a level of physical activity” resulting in health benefits, and fourth a low level of physical activity, “said she in her study. Among teens, more than 6 boys 10 reached a level of physical activity leading to health benefits under cons of four girls.
Regarding overweight, it appears that men are more affected than women (nearly four in ten men against one woman in four) while obesity affects both the male and female. 11.6% of the adult population is concerned. In children, excess weight for 14% of 3-17 years. 3% of children are obese.
To conduct its study, AFSSA weighed and measured in 2624 adults (18-79 years) and 1455 children (3-17 years). It examined three meals daily for 7 days.