title: Trends in food intake in French children from 1999 to 2007: results from the INCA (étude Individuelle Nationale des Consommations Alimentaires) dietary surveys.
abstract: The objectives of the present study were to assess the intake of different food groups in French children aged 3-17 years (n 1455), and to analyse trends since a dietary survey undertaken 8 years ago. Dietary intake was evaluated using data from the 2006-7 cross-sectional INCA2 national dietary survey (étude Individuelle Nationale sur les Consommations Alimentaires), based on a 7 d food record. Dietary intake (percentage of subjects consuming the food group and amount eaten) was assessed for thirty-nine food categories. We observed variations in food consumption by age, sex, North-South regional gradient, seasonal period and educational level of the responding parent. Trends in dietary intake between 1999 and 2007 were determined by comparing the INCA1 (n 1126) and the INCA2 surveys. Both surveys had been carried out using the same methodology. The findings showed a decrease in energy intake in children aged 3-14 years, due to a reduction in the consumption of foods of animal origin and sweetened products. In adolescents aged 15-17 years, energy intake remained rather stable; during this 8-year period, the consumption of meat decreased, whereas the consumption of savoury snacks such as sandwiches and hamburgers significantly increased. These trends occurred during a time of growing concern about overweight and the associated co-morbidities in France. A number of public health measures were implemented over this period to improve dietary habits and physical activity patterns in children and adults. The periodic monitoring of dietary patterns through the INCA surveys is an essential part of the surveillance network in France.
authors.affiliation: Dietary Survey Unit - Nutritional Epidemiology, French Food Safety Agency (Afssa), Maisons-Alfort, France. s.lioret@afssa.fr
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lioret
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubuisson
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Touvier
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calamassi-Tran
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maire
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Volatier
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lafay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D050177:Overweight