[Relationship between diet and some risk factors]

The authors evaluated data from the dietary histories of 203 individuals from Sofia and Varna who had been asked identical questions. The results of this investigation show that 42% of these these individuals have no marked liking for a certain diet (group 1), 28% prefer a high protein diet (group 2), 23% are partial to a high carbohydrate diet (group 3), and 6% give preference to a high fat diet (group 4). It was found that the individuals in group 1 showed the smallest deviations from the normal values for serum lipids. Coronary symptoms were most marked in the individuals in group 4, followed by those in the groups 3, 2 and 1. It was stated that men prefer a high protein diet to a greater extent than women. Consumers of alcohol and smokers have no liking for a high carbohydrate diet. Individuals prefering fats and a high carbohydrate diet lack a daily dietary rhythm. The latter also showed marked variations in body weight, i.e., periods of weight reduction and periods of weight increase. The most favourable findings with regard to serum lipids, body weight and dietary rhythm were obtained from individuals with obvious preference for a certain diet, i. e., those with a balanced diet. The present investigation is suited as a model for a more comprehensive epidemiological study.