Cited by 153Nutritional Studies and DietNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorNutrition and Health Studies

Food consumption patterns in an adult urban population in Beirut, Lebanon

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Nasreddine, Lara, Hwalla, Nahla, Sibai, Abla, Hamzé, Mouïn, Parent-Massin, Dominique·2006·Public Health Nutrition

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate, measure and assess the food consumption pattern of the adult population living in Beirut, Lebanon, and to identify inadequate or excessive intake of food groups particularly linked to non-communicable diseases. Design: A cross-sectional food consumption survey was conducted in 2001. Dietary habits were assessed by means of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Setting: Dietary survey of the urban population (Beirut). Subjects: Random sample of 444 adult subjects (aged 25–54 years) in Beirut. Results: The mean consumption of food by the study population was estimated to be 3030 g day−1, providing an energy intake of 2523.57 kcal day−1. Fat contributed 38.9% to the average daily energy intake, protein 13.4% and carbohydrates 47.2%. Mean consumption of fruits and vegetables was approximately 367 g day−1 and 45.3% of subjects consumed less than the recommended 400 g daily. Cereals contributed 324.5 g day−1, providing 35.0% of daily energy intake, with bread being the most highly consumed (146.2 g day−1) in this food group. The mean intake of meat and poultry products was 91.7 g day−1 and provided 8.8% of daily energy intake, with consumption of butchery products especially beef being the highest (47.6 g day−1) followed by poultry (36.1 g day−1). A low consumption of fish was noted (19.7 g day−1), with 73.6% of subjects consuming less than the recommended 2 servings of fish per week. Dairy products contributed 243.1 g day−1 or 10.9% of daily energy intake, and milk was the least consumed dairy product (56.8% of consumers). The intake of added fats and oils, excluding those in cooked recipes, was 20.4 g day−1; olive oil was not used in cooking but was added solely at the table and its mean intake was 5 g day−1. The consumption of butter was low (0.86 g day−1) and vegetable oil was the type of fat mostly used in cooking. The average intake of alcoholic beverages was low (33.6 g day−1), accounting for 0.7% of total energy intake. Women had significantly higher intakes of milk, dairy products, vegetables and coffee than men (P< 0.05). The percentage of women who reported the use of low-fat items was significantly higher than that of men. Younger people (25–34 years) ate significantly more meat, sugar, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and consumed significantly less cooked vegetables and legumes, than older ones (P< 0.05). Conclusions: The rather high contribution of fat to daily energy intake, the low intake of fish and the relatively high percentage of people consuming less than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables observed in this study suggest that the adult Lebanese population is at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and other non-communicable diseases, which provides the basis for recommending increased intakes of fish, particularly fatty fish, and fruits and vegetables.

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  1. a,b,c Values with different superscript letters are significantly different (ANOVA followed by Duncan's test) at P , 0.05. 76.9 ^32.6 (70.1-83.7) a 70.6 ^29.0 (64.1-77.1) a,b 63.6 ^25.1 (57.4-69.8) b Fish 18.5 ^13.4 (15.7-21.2) a 19.6 ^16.6 (15.8-23.3) a 16.4 ^13.5 (13.0-19.7) a Eggs 8.7 ^8.6 (6.9-10.5) a 8.8 ^9.8 (6.6-11.0) a 9.9 ^12.9 (6.7-13.1) a Milk and dairy products 264.8 ^167.5 (229.9-299.7) a 262.6 ^157.3 (227.1-298.0) a 239.7 ^139.4 (205.2-274.2) a Vegetables raw 155.0 ^68.3 (140.7-169.2) a 153.5 ^65.1 (138.8-168.2) a 160.8 ^76.5 (141.9-179.8) a Vegetable-based dishes 91.4 ^41.1 (82.8-99.9) a 99.9 ^44.1 (90.0-109.8) a,b 108.5 ^41.4 (98.2-118.8) b Potato and potato-based products 56.6 ^38.1 (48.7-64.5) a 50.7 ^32.2 (43.0-58.4) a 43.3 ^29.1 (36.0-50.5) a Fruits and fruit juices 275.8 ^102.5 (254.4-297.1) a 285.5 ^99.8 (263.0-308.0) a 301.2 ^111.7 (273.5-328.9) a Pulses, nuts and seeds 39.1 ^18.1 (35.4-42.9) a 42.7 ^19.9 (38.2-47.2) a 45.4 ^23.6 (39.5-51.3) a Cereals and cereal-based products 174.4 ^87.6 (156.2-192.7) a 145.5 ^59.8 (132.0-159.0) a 128.6 ^68.5 (111.7-145.6) b Bread and toast 112.8 ^49.1 (102.5-123.0) a 111.8 ^45.0 (101.7-122.0) a 116.6 ^48.7 (104.5-128.6) a Sugar and sugar derivatives 37.0 ^29.0 (31.0-43.0) a 23.4 ^19.5 (19.0-27.8) a 25.1 ^39.9 (15.2-35.0) b Added fats and oils 16.1 ^4.6 (15.1-17.0) a 16.2 ^5.0 (15.1-17.4) a 17.8 ^5.4 (16.5-19.1) a Sodas and pre-packed juices 228.4 ^205.3 (185.6-271.1) a 163.1 ^166.9 (125.4-200.7) a 146.6 ^137.6 (112.5-180.7) b Alcoholic beverages 15.9 ^32.2 (9.2-22.7) a 13.1 ^34.2 (5.4-20.8) a 12.7 ^35.6 (3.8-21.5) a Caffeinated beverages 202.4 ^160.9 (168.9-236.0) a 255.9 ^176.2 (216.2-295.6) b 263.4 ^153.5 (225.4-301.5
  2. a,b Values with different superscript letters are significantly different (ANOVA followed by Duncan's test) at P , 0.05. References
  3. Sabry J, Sabry Z. Nutrition in Lebanon. Canadian Nutrition 1963; 19: 121.
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  6. Committee on Diet and Health. Diet and Health Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk. Food and Nutrition Board, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.
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Authors
Nasreddine, L., Hwalla, N., Sibai, A., Hamzé, M., & Parent-Massin, D.
Affiliations
  • Université de Bretagne Occidentale (FR)
  • American University of Beirut (LB)
Corresponding author
Hwalla, Nahla
Venue
Public Health Nutrition
Published
2006-04
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
194-203
ISSN
  • 1368-9800 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2727
OpenAlex
W1971597509
Cited by
152
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 8
FWCI
3.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Public Health Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
Keywords
food consumption patterns, dietary intake, energy intake, macronutrient intake, fruit and vegetable intake, fish consumption, dairy products, olive oil, alcohol consumption, non-communicable diseases, urban adults, Beirut, sex differences in diet, food frequency questionnaire, bread consumption, vegetable oils, butter consumption, milk consumption
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet, Dietary Fats, Feeding Behavior, Female, Fruit, Humans, Lebanon, Male, Middle Aged, Nutrition Surveys, Obesity, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Urban Population, Vegetables

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