n-3 Fatty acid intake from marine food products among Quebecers: comparison to worldwide recommendations.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify marine food product consumption and EPA + DHA intake among Quebecers, and to compare the results with the most recent recommendations.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a representative cross-sectional telephone survey (June 2006). Intakes of marine food product species and EPA + DHA were estimated from a validated FFQ on the consumption of marine food products during the previous month. Prevalence of fish oil consumption in the last 6 months was also assessed.


METHODS
Province of Quebec (Canada).


METHODS
A representative sample (n 1001) of adults in the province of Quebec. Of these, eight were excluded from the present analysis (n 993).


RESULTS
Mean and median EPA + DHA intakes for all participants were estimated to be 291 mg/d (sem 11) and 207 mg/d, respectively. 85.0 % (95 % CI 82.7, 87.3) of Quebecers had an EPA + DHA intake lower than 500 mg/d, which is the amount internationally recommended for the prevention of CVD. Mean and median DHA intakes among women of childbearing age (n 128, 18-34 years) were estimated to be 169 mg/d (sem 17) and 126 mg/d, respectively. Of these women, 27.7 % had a daily intake >200 mg DHA and 15.9 % had an intake >300 mg DHA. We noted that 13 % of Quebecers take >or=1 capsule of fish oil/d.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of marine food products and EPA + DHA among Quebecers clearly appears to be lower than international recommendations. Since EPA + DHA confer health benefits and may reduce health costs, strategies to increase their consumption should be implemented to improve public health in Quebec.
Lucas
Michel
M
Lucie and André Chagnon Chair for the Teaching of an Integrated Approach in Prevention, Laval University, Saint-François d'Assise Hospital (CHUQ), Québec, QC, Canada. michel.lucas@crchul.ulaval.ca
Asselin
Geneviève
G
Plourde
Mélanie
M
Cunnane
Stephen C
SC
Dewailly
Eric
E
Dodin
Sylvie
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011792:Quebec; D017747:Seafood; D055815:Young Adult
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid