Energy Intake, Profile, and Dietary Sources in the Spanish Population: Findings of the ANIBES Study

Abstract

Energy intake, and the foods and beverages contributing to that, are considered key to understanding the high obesity prevalence worldwide. The relative contributions of energy intake and expenditure to the obesity epidemic, however, remain poorly defined in Spain. The purpose of this study was to contribute to updating data of dietary energy intake and its main sources from food and beverages, according to gender and age. These data were derived from the ANIBES (“Anthropometry, Intake, and Energy Balance in Spain”) study, a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of the Spanish population (from 9–75 years old). A three-day dietary record, collected by means of a tablet device, was used to obtain information about food and beverage consumption and leftovers. The final sample comprised 2009 individuals (1,013 men, 996 women). The observed mean dietary energy intake was 7.6 ± 2.11 MJ/day (8.2 ± 2.22 MJ/day for men and 6.9 ± 1.79 MJ/day for women). The highest intakes were observed among adolescents aged 13–17 years (8.4 MJ/day), followed by children 9–12 years (8.2 ± 1.80 MJ/day), adults aged 18–64 (7.6 ± 2.14 MJ/day) and older adults aged 65–75 years (6.8 ± 1.88 MJ/day). Cereals or grains (27.4%), meats and derivatives (15.2%), oils and fats (12.3%), and milk and dairy products (11.8%) contributed most to daily energy intake. Energy contributions from non-alcoholic beverages (3.9%), fish and shellfish (3.6%), sugars and sweets (3.3%) and alcoholic beverages (2.6%) were moderate to minor. Contributions to caloric profile were 16.8%E from proteins; 41.1%E from carbohydrates, including 1.4%E from fiber; 38.5%E from fats; and 1.9%E from alcohol intake. We can conclude that energy intake is decreasing in the Spanish population. A variety of food and beverage groups contribute to energy intake; however, it is necessary to reinforce efforts for better adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet.

Hábitos alimentarios y actividad física en relación con el sobrepeso y la obesidad en España

“…Las conclusiones obtenidas de este trabajo mostraron que la población española consumía menos fruta, verdura, legumbres y frutos secos de lo recomendado y más carne grasa, embutido y bollería. En 2015 se publicó un consenso sobre la metodología de las encuestas de hábitos alimentarios, estudios de nutrición, ejercicio físico y otros estilos de vida 6 , y en este mismo año se publicó también el estudio ANIBES 7 , que tuvo en cuenta datos antropométricos, de ingesta y balance energético, concluyendo que los principales grupos de alimentos consumidos por la población fueron los cereales, carne y embutidos, aceite, leche y derivados.…”

Comparison of beverage consumption in adult populations from three different countries: do the international reference values allow establishing the adequacy of water and beverage intakes?

“…3. From Spain, the ANIBES study was conducted using stratified multistage sampling (16,17). To guarantee better coverage and representativeness, the fieldwork was performed at 128 sampling points across Spain.…”

“…An ad hoc central server software/database was developed for this purpose, to work in parallel with the codification and verification processes. A food photographic atlas was used to assist in assigning gram weights to portion sizes (16,17). Beverages were combined into eight categories for further analysis: a) hot beverages included hot tea and coffee (iced teas in cans or bottles were considered as caloric soft drinks); b) milk (all types of milk without separation by fat percentage); c) fruit and vegetable juices (including nectars and juice-milk blends); d) caloric soft drinks (including sports drinks such as isotonic drinks with mineral salts and caffeinated energy drinks, among others); e) diet soft drinks (with non-sugar sweeteners); f) alcoholic drinks, including two groups: low alcohol grade (mostly beer, wine, and cider) and high alcohol grade; g) water (including tap water and bottled water); and h) other beverages (including soy-based beverages and non-alcoholic beer, among others) (18).…”

Macronutrients contribution from beverages according to sex and age: findings from the ANIBES Study in Spain

“…Juices and nectars contributed 1.3%, more in children and adolescent than in adults and the elderly. Alcoholic beverages of lower/moderate alcohol content (beer, wine, cider) represented over 90% of energy contribution within this group (14).…”