title: The pattern of food and mortality in Belgium.
abstract: Belgians have been gradually shifting from a low ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fat in their food to a higher one with lower total fat and cholesterol. This has occurred predominantly in the north, where the most obvious change is a decrease in butter consumption and an increase in margarine consumption. The northerners have a four to five times smaller intake of butter than the southerners and nearly double the intake of margarine. Evidence gathered over the past ten years reveals in the north a decreasing serum-cholesterol and in the south a significantly higher serum-cholesterol, associated with higher coronary morbidity and mortality. Life expectancy of males in the north is 2-4 years higher at birth and 2-2 years higher at the age of 30. It is concluded that the food habits of a population can be changed, with great benefit.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D002079:Butter; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011177:Postal Service; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D002079:Butter; D008383:Margarine; D002784:Cholesterol