title: Comparison of meal patterns across five European countries using standardized 24-h recall (GloboDiet) data from the EFCOVAL project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine meal patterns in terms of frequency and circadian timing of eating in five European countries participating in the EFCOVAL project.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 559 men and women, aged 44-65 years, were recruited in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France (Southern part), The Netherlands, and Norway. Dietary data were collected by trained interviewers using standardized computerised 24-h recalls (GloboDiet). Means ± SE of (1) eating frequency, (2) overnight fasting, and (3) time between eating occasions were estimated by country using means from 2 days of 24-h recalls. We also estimated the frequency of eating occasions per hour by country as well as the proportional energy intake of meals/snacks by country compared to the mean energy intake of all countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean eating frequency ranged from 4.3 times/day in France to 7.1 times/day in The Netherlands (p < 0.05). Mean overnight fasting was shortest in the Netherlands (9.2 h) and longest in Czech Republic (10.9 h) (p < 0.05). Mean time between single eating occasions was shortest in The Netherlands (2.4 h) and longest in France (4.3 h) (p < 0.05). Different patterns of energy intake by meals and snacks throughout the day were observed across the five countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed distinct differences in meal patterns across the five European countries included in the current study in terms of frequency and circadian timing of eating, and the proportion of energy intake from eating occasions.
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Min Kyung
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4036-5739
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Freisling
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huseinovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Nutritional Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winkvist
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huybrechts
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Parana, Avenida Prefeito Lothário Meissner, 632, Curitiba, Paraná, 80210-170, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra Patricia
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Crispim
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeanne H M
authors.initials: JHM
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anouk
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geelen
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maryse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niekerk
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon, France. slimanin@iarc.fr.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Slimani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000208:ethnology; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000208:ethnology; D005060:Europe; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D062407:Meals / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology; D062410:Snacks / Q000208:ethnology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: EFCOVAL; Eating frequency; Food consumption; GloboDiet/EPIC-Soft; Meal/snack pattern; Snacking