[The Brisighella survey: a study of dietary habits]

In the course of studies evaluating diet as risk factor of atherosclerotic disease, an epidemiological study among 1491 males and 1448 females living in Brisighella, a small village in the Tuscan-Emilian Appenines, was carried out. The methods used in estimating alimentary habits have been described in detail. The weights of all foods eaten by each subject in a 7 day period were also recorded. We considered total intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in g/kg of ideal weight/day and total calories/kg of ideal weight/day and related such values to those given by FAO/WHO. It was observed that mean intake of proteins and fats in g/kg/day and cal/kg/day was always more elevated when compared with those given by FAO/WHO for males and females. Mean intake of carbohydrate, in both sexes, agreed with FAO/WHO values. Therefore, we can affirm that the people of Brisighella have faulty dietary habits, mainly concerning fats. In addition, their daily calorie-intake is too high.