Use of 'light' foods and drinks in French adults: biological, anthropometric and nutritional correlates.
BACKGROUND
A population of over 12,000 mature subjects participated in a longitudinal study (8 years) of nutrition and health (the Su.Vi.Max Study). In this context, a specific cross-sectional study was carried out in a randomly selected subpopulation.


OBJECTIVE
To identify anthropometric, nutritional and biochemical correlates of spontaneous use of 'light' foods and drinks in a free-living population.


METHODS
Men (n = 2299) and women (n = 1979), 45-60 years, reported their food intakes over six non-consecutive days. Consumers of low-fat and low-sugar foods and drinks, and artificial sweeteners, were compared with non-consumers.


RESULTS
Users of low-sugar products were heavier than non-users; female consumers of low-fat products, but not males, had higher body weight and BMI than non-consumers. Users of low-sugar products had higher triacylglycerols and glycaemia than non-users while biochemical parameters were not different in users and non-users of low-fat products. Use of low-sugar products led to increased diet density of a few micronutrients, including cholesterol. Low-fat product selection was associated with increased intake of most micronutrients, both in absolute value and in density.


CONCLUSIONS
In mature adults, selection of fat-reduced products was associated with improved quality of the diet, while anthropometric and biological parameters appeared less favourable in consumers of low-sugar products vs. non-consumers. The longitudinal follow-up of the cohort in future years will help determine cause-and-effect relationships among these parameters.
Bellisle
F
F
INSERM U 341, Hôtel-Dieu, 1 Place du Parvis Notre-Dame, 75181 Paris, France. bellisle@imaginet.fr
Altenburg de Assis
M A
MA
Fieux
B
B
Preziosi
P
P
Galan
P
P
Guy-Grand
B
B
Hercberg
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001824:Body Constitution; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D013549:Sweetening Agents