No abstract

In the Middle-and East-European countries the political, economic and social situation changed fundamentally in 1989 and 1990. These alterations are reflected in markers of dietary intake, physical activity and health with a trend similar in Czechia, East Germany, Lithuania and Poland. Thus, the previous increase in energy consumption stopped and was followed by a decline. The increasing preference for a lower level of activity is demonstrated by the number of private cars clearly accelerating its rate of growth after the change. Life expectancy had been increasing during the eighties only slightly. After the change the yearly increase became higher than before. The rate difference is higher in men than in women. Beginning from 1991 the CVD mortality decreased considerably.

No abstract

A sample of 503 randomly selected adults were asked about sources of nutritional information and food habits. In addition, participants were also asked to maintain a food record for three consecutive days. One hundred and forty‐nine participants completed both the questionnaire and 3‐day diary. Results indicate that of the 13 sources of nutritional information, friends and relatives were most frequently quoted, while scientific publications as well as advertising on packaging material were most rarely quoted. However, scientific publications and reports of the ‘Commodity Test Foundation’ (Stiftung Warentest) enjoy the greatest confidence. In addition, people relying on scientific publications show healthier eating habits. Only one of the 18 items in the nutritional behaviour tested (‘I try to keep to the rules of healthy nutrition’) shows a highly significant positive correlation with healthy nutrition. There is a negative correlation between acceptability and healthy nutrition. The main conclusions indicate that nutritional consciousness and dietary habits of both adoles‐cents and adults, as well as the health value of food, must be improved.

In 1977 the official recommendations of the GDR for the daily intakes of essential nutrients were revised and extended. The criteria used to establish the revision and the extension in regard to the recommended vitamin intakes are given. For assessing the adequacy of food supplies and intakes vitamin intake data from national food consumption surveys and the weighted average recommended intakes for the entire population were compared. To give a true representation of vitamin amounts actually consumed, different forms of calculating losses on the way from harvesting or producing foods to the gullet have been applied. With the exception of tocopherol the daily intake of all vitamins considered permanently increased within the 10 years' period regarded, and the average levels of vitamin intake may appear satisfactory. Nevertheless, it is not valid to conclude that the vitamin needs of all individuals have been met.