title: Systematic Review on N-3 and N-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake in European Countries in Light of the Current Recommendations - Focus on Specific Population Groups.
abstract: Earlier reviews indicated that in many countries adults, children and adolescents consume on an average less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation.
  
  
  
  The intake of total and individual n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in European infants, children, adolescents, elderly and pregnant/lactating women was evaluated systematically.
  
  
  
  The evaluations were done against recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. Key Messages: Fifty-three studies from 17 different European countries reported an intake of total n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and/or individual n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in at least one of the specific population groups: 10 in pregnant women, 4 in lactating women, 3 in infants 6-12 months, 6 in children 1-3 years, 11 in children 4-9 years, 8 in adolescents 10-18 years and 11 in elderly >65 years. Mean linoleic acid intake was within the recommendation (4 energy percentage [E%]) in 52% of the countries, with inadequate intakes more likely in lactating women, adolescents and elderly. Mean α-linolenic acid intake was within the recommendation (0.5 E%) in 77% of the countries. In 26% of the countries, mean eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid intake was as recommended. These results indicate that intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs may be suboptimal in specific population groups in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sioen
authors.forename: Lilou
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Lieshout
authors.forename: Ans
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eilander
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleith
authors.forename: Szimonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lohner
authors.forename: Alíz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szommer
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petisca
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eussen
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campoy
authors.forename: Ronald P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mensink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005060:Europe; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6