Meal patterns across ten European countries – results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) calibration study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterize meal patterns across ten European countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) calibration study.DesignCross-sectional study utilizing dietary data collected through a standardized 24 h diet recall during 1995–2000. Eleven predefined intake occasions across a 24 h period were assessed during the interview. In the present descriptive report, meal patterns were analysed in terms of daily number of intake occasions, the proportion reporting each intake occasion and the energy contributions from each intake occasion.SettingTwenty-seven centres across ten European countries.SubjectsWomen (64 %) and men (36 %) aged 35–74 years (n 36 020).ResultsPronounced differences in meal patterns emerged both across centres within the same country and across different countries, with a trend for fewer intake occasions per day in Mediterranean countries compared with central and northern Europe. Differences were also found for daily energy intake provided by lunch, with 38–43 % for women and 41–45 % for men within Mediterranean countries compared with 16–27 % for women and 20–26 % for men in central and northern European countries. Likewise, a south–north gradient was found for daily energy intake from snacks, with 13–20 % (women) and 10–17 % (men) in Mediterranean countries compared with 24–34 % (women) and 23–35 % (men) in central/northern Europe.ConclusionsWe found distinct differences in meal patterns with marked diversity for intake frequency and lunch and snack consumption between Mediterranean and central/northern European countries. Monitoring of meal patterns across various cultures and populations could provide critical context to the research efforts to characterize relationships between dietary intake and health.

Timing of eating across ten European countries – results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) calibration study

“…Furthermore, meal pattern analyses within the European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL) study, conducted during 2007-2008, confirm our findings of more distinct peak times of eating in Mediterranean countries (represented by France in the EFCOVAL study) than in Central/Northern European countries (represented by the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic), where eating times were more spread throughout the day (30) . This finding is also in agreement with our previous report, where we found daily energy intake provided by snacks to be 10-20 % v. 23-35 % in the two regions, respectively, and the mean intake frequency to range from 4•9-5•0 (Greece and Italy) to 6•8-7•0 (the Netherlands) FCO per day (18) , indicating more eating occasions between the main meals in Central/ Northern European than in Mediterranean countries.…”

Snacking is Common in People with Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 with Insulin Therapy and Is Not Associated With Metabolic Control or Quality of Life

“…Data are presented as n ( %). Abbreviations: n/s = not specified A regular meal intake is common in our study population which is comparable with the eating habits of the general population [19,20]. Although the possibility of meal skipping is given in individuals on prandial insulin the majority did not use this opportuni-ty (▶ table 2) as already shown in 2004 published by Heller et al [12].…”

“…Compared with the general population, snacking was less common in individuals participating in this study [19]. However, the satisfaction with either snacking or not snacking was equally high.…”

Post‐lunch triglyceridaemia associates with HDLc and insulin resistance in fasting normotriglyceridaemic menopausal women

“…We suggested that perhaps one of the main meals might be more representative of the post-prandial lipid metabolism. Recent studies, such as SENECA and EPIC, demonstrated different distributions of energy intake within the main meals (11,23) . Citizens of Mediterranean countries consume a greater proportion of their daily energy intake at lunch time compared to central and northern countries (11,23) .…”

“…Recent studies, such as SENECA and EPIC, demonstrated different distributions of energy intake within the main meals (11,23) . Citizens of Mediterranean countries consume a greater proportion of their daily energy intake at lunch time compared to central and northern countries (11,23) . In the present study, we noted that TG levels increased throughout the day, reaching their highest levels post-lunch and then plateaued.…”