Food and nutrient consumption of two rural population groups of Italy followed for ten years.

Two groups of men, 40 through 59 years old, from two rural areas of Italy (one in the north and one in the centre) were subjects of dietary surveys on three occasions over 10 years, using the individual weighing technique. Over the 10 years, changes in the consumption of some foods were observed; these were most striking in respect to cereals and legumes, which decreased, and to animal protein and fats, which increased. The decrease of energy was much greater than expected (partly explained by the current mechanization in agriculture in Italy). In one area a low intake of riboflavin was observed, but otherwise the diets could be considered to be nutritionally good. There was no correlation between some dietary variables and anthropometric and blood lipid data, as observed previously. This was probably because the population groups examined were practically homogeneous in regard to habits.