Related Experiment Videos
Relationship between eating patterns meeting recommendations and subsequent mortality in 20 years
G Farchi1, F Fidanza, P Grossi
1Laboratorio di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Adhering to macronutrient recommendations is linked to reduced overall mortality. However, these dietary guidelines may not be equally effective for preventing cancer and coronary heart disease deaths.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease epidemiology
- Nutritional science
- Public health
Background:
- The Seven Countries Study investigated risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- This study focused on two rural Italian cohorts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between adherence to dietary recommendations and mortality rates.
- To assess the impact of macronutrient intake on total, cancer, and coronary heart disease mortality.
Main Methods:
- Prospective investigation of risk factors in cardiovascular disease.
- Dietary surveys and 20-year follow-up of 1538 men aged 45-64 in two Italian villages.
- Analysis of relative risks associated with nutrient intake levels.
Main Results:
- Conformity to recommended carbohydrate intake (55-75% of calories) showed a relative risk of 0.84 for total mortality.
- Relative risks for cancer mortality and coronary heart disease mortality were 0.73 and 1.34, respectively.
- Dietary differences in mortality persisted after adjusting for age, smoking, and physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Recommended macronutrient intake is associated with lower overall mortality.
- Dietary recommendations may not be equally beneficial for specific causes of death like cancer and coronary heart disease.
- Meeting principal recommendations for total carbohydrate and total fat intake appeared to ensure adherence to other recommendations in this population.