Diet and physical activity of men in east and west Finland in 1969

The purpose of the study was to discover the effects of physical activity on men's diets. The food consumption of 1306 men aged 50 to 69 years was studied using the dietary history method. The men were grouped in four classes according to their physical activity. With increasing activity their consumptions of cereals, potatoes, milk and milk products, fats and sugar increased. The men in East Finland used more milk, butter and fish than those in the West. The consumption of cereals, potatoes and eggs was higher in West than in East Finland. The intake of energy and energy yielding nutrients was greatly dependent on the physical activity but their contributions to the total energy intake were independent. The consumption of minerals and vitamins was adequate in all activity classes. The changes in the diet caused by physical activity seemed to be more quantitative than qualitative.