title: The intake of saturated fat and dietary fibre: a possible indicator of diet quality.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess if a simple dietary quality index (SDQI) is a useful indicator for nutritional quality in the Danish diet. Data from the Danish National Dietary Survey 2000-2 for adults (n 3151; age 18-75 years) were used to construct an SDQI based on the intake of dietary fibre and saturated fat. The SDQI was used to rank the individuals into three subgroups: the 25 % closest in meeting the recommended intakes of saturated fat and dietary fibre (compliers), the 25 % furthest away (non-compliers) and the 50 % in between (intermediates). Significant differences in food and nutrient intake between these subgroups were identified by intakes of food groups and intakes of nutrients followed by non-parametric tests. Compared with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004 and the Danish Dietary Guidelines 2005, compliers had a significantly better nutrient profile than intermediates and non-compliers, as the diet of compliers contained more whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish, and more frequently low-fat dairy products, lean meats and boiled potatoes. The diet of all subgroups, especially non-compliers, had a high content of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, for example, salty snacks, confectionery, and beverages, for example, soft drinks and alcohol. The SDQI is a simple and useful tool to characterise the diet quality of Danish adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, Søborg DK-2860, Denmark. abj@food.dtu.dk
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biltoft-Jensen
authors.forename: Sisse
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fagt
authors.forename: Margit V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Groth
authors.forename: Jeppe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matthiessen
authors.forename: Henrik C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wachmann
authors.forename: Tue
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber