The Italian IV SCAI dietary survey: Main results on food consumption

The food consumption surveys, conducted for over 30 years by the CREA Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, are the most reliable source of data to evaluate the food consumption intake and dietary patterns of the Italian population. The fourth and most recent survey (IV SCAI 2017-2020), was carried out as part of the pan-European framework 'EU Menu', according to the harmonized methods recommended by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The current paper aims to present its main results in terms of food group consumption.

The sample of IV SCAI was stratified by geographical areas and included 1969 individuals aged 3 months to 74 years living in Italy. Dietary assessment was based on food diaries for children, and 24h recalls for adolescents, adults, and elderly, for both techniques on two non-consecutive days. The most consumed food groups were: Milk and Cereals, followed by Fruit, Vegetables, and Meat. At the subgroup level, bread was the most consumed cereal product in terms of quantity (70 g/day), followed by pasta (79 % of consumers; 49 g/day). Only 39 % of individuals had an adequate fruit and vegetable consumption according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, although this percentage increased in adults and the elderly (43 %, and 73 % respectively). Consumption of red and processed meat was also not in line with international recommendations, being slightly higher mainly in adults and adolescents with a mean consumption of 83 g/day and 100 g/day respectively, compared to the WHO recommendation not to exceed 70 g/day.

The detailed dietary data collected in IV SCAI are a fundamental evidence platform supporting public health programs, a reliable reference to guide nutritional policies and monitoring diet in the coming years.