Estimation of trans fatty acid intake in Japanese adults using 16-day diet records based on a food composition database developed for the Japanese population.
BACKGROUND
The Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan do not include information on trans fatty acids. Previous studies estimating trans fatty acid intake among Japanese have limitations regarding the databases utilized and diet assessment methodologies. We developed a comprehensive database of trans fatty acid food composition, and used this database to estimate intake among a Japanese population.


METHODS
The database was developed using analytic values from the literature and nutrient analysis software encompassing foods in the US, as well as values estimated from recipes or nutrient compositions. We collected 16-day diet records from 225 adults aged 30 to 69 years living in 4 areas of Japan. Trans fatty acid intake was estimated based on the database and the 16-day diet records.


RESULTS
Mean total fat and trans fatty acid intake was 56.9 g/day (27.7% total energy) and 1.7 g/day (0.8% total energy), respectively, for women and 66.8 g/day (25.5% total energy) and 1.7 g/day (0.7% total energy) for men. Trans fatty acid intake accounted for greater than 1% of total energy intake, which is the maximum recommended according to the World Health Organization, in 24.4% of women and 5.7% of men, and was particularly high among women living in urban areas and those aged 30-49 years. The largest contributors to trans fatty acid intake were confectionaries in women and fats and oils in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Although mean trans fatty acid intake was below the maximum recommended intake of the World Health Organization, intake among subgroups was of concern. Further public health efforts to reduce trans fatty acid intake should be encouraged.
Yamada
Mai
M
Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Sasaki
Satoshi
S
Murakami
Kentaro
K
Takahashi
Yoshiko
Y
Okubo
Hitomi
H
Hirota
Naoko
N
Notsu
Akiko
A
Todoriki
Hidemi
H
Miura
Ayako
A
Fukui
Mitsuru
M
Date
Chigusa
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015930:Diet Records; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D004041:Dietary Fats; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids