The realization of a project aimed at reducing the plasmatic lipid level in a large Italian population improves the mean calcium daily intake: the Brisighella Study.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the impact of a coronary heart disease prevention program on calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D dietary intake in respect of recommended daily allowances in a large Italian rural population.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the Brisighella Study dietary data. The Brisighella Study started in 1972 as a longitudinal study on atherosclerosis risk factors.


METHODS
Brisighella, a rural North Italian village.


METHODS
The Brisighella population's dietary habits were monitored from 1980 every 4 h through a dietary record sheet. 1,350 constantly tested subjects were subdivided according to NHI Consensus Conference on Calcium RDA.


METHODS
In 1986, the studied subjects were invited to reduce their consumption of animal fats and cholesterol through a Nutrition Educational Program (NEP).


RESULTS
Before NEP, calcium intake was low in each sex and age category: 20-40% of the populatioin had a daily intake < 550 mg. In 1988, among the 1350 subjects who constantly completed the questionnaire (M = 651, F = 699), the mean calcium intake significantly rose in all age categories: M = 1,003 (25-65 y) and 877 ( > 65) mg/24h (P < 0.001 vs 1984); F = 923 (25-50), 860 (51-65) and 767 (> 65)mg/24h (P < 0.05). In 1992, 3y after the NEP conclusion, calcium intake dropped in each sex and age category. The NEP influenced vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium intakes less.


CONCLUSIONS
A collective NEP aimed at lowering saturated fats and cholesterol intakes, improves the calcium intake; in order to maintain their efficacy on nutritional habit changes, these programs must become an ongoing item.
Gaddi
A
A
Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Diseases Study Centre G. Descovich, Department of Internal Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Italy. gaddiats@med.unibo.it
Cicero
A F
AF
Wani
F O
FO
Dormi
A
A
Pasquarelli
V
V
D'Addato
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015930:Diet Records; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D008274:Magnesium