Fish and seafood consumption and omega 3 intake in French coastal populations: CALIPSO survey.
OBJECTIVE
To describe part of the results of the CALIPSO study, i.e. to provide seafood consumption data on high seafood consumers in France and its contribution to n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA intake.


METHODS
A total of 1011 individuals aged 18 years and over, who consumed fish and seafood at least twice weekly, were recruited. A consumption survey and a local 'total diet study' were performed to examine seafood consumption, fatty acids composition of seafood and to assess n-3 LC PUFA intake.


METHODS
The CALIPSO survey was conducted in four French coastal regions (Le Havre, Lorient, La Rochelle and Toulon).


METHODS
The subjects were questioned about their consumption habits, especially concerning fish and seafood, through a first validated FFQ. A sample of the most consumed seafood products (n 47) was analysed for each region for its fatty acid composition. Fatty acids and especially n-3 LC PUFA intakes in this population were then calculated.


CONCLUSIONS
The average consumption of fresh and frozen fish was found to be 633, 636.5 and 787.8 g/week among men aged 18-64 years, women aged 18-64 years and people over 65 years, respectively. In these population groups, the consumption of crustaceans and molluscs was 270.3, 259.9 and 279.3 g/week, respectively. The results show that, irrespective of the age group and gender, consumption of fish and seafood twice weekly without excluding oily fish allowed people to reach the national and international recommended n-3 LC PUFA intakes and demonstrates the validity of the French recommendations for fish consumption.
Directorate of Risk Assessment for Nutrition and Food Safety, French Food Safety Agency, 94701 Maisons Alfort, France. n.bemrah@afssa.fr
Nawel
N
Bemrah
Véronique
V
Sirot
Jean-Charles
JC
Leblanc
Jean-Luc
JL
Volatier
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004034:Diet Surveys; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005518:Food Preferences; D005602:France; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D017747:Seafood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3