Nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador, the first nutrition study ever conducted in the province with extensive coverage of people's dietary intake and related health factors, has finally been published - and the results aren't encouraging. Based on a survey done in 1996 of 1,927 adults between 18 and 74 years of age, Dr. Barbara Roebothan, Community Health, found a large proportion of the population was consuming a diet with more calories than recommended. Based on Health Canada standards, 69 per cent of the population were found to be either overweight or obese according to the Body Mass Index.

She also found that dietary fibre intakes were largely inadequate and more than half of the population appeared to be consuming inadequate amounts of vitamin C, with deficiencies among adult females of dietary thiamin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. There were also inadequate intakes of the minerals magnesium, zinc and calcium in a high percentage of residents. “A moderate increase in the intake of meat, fish and poulty, especially lean red meat, should improve zinc and iron status,” said Dr. Roebothan. “An increased consumption of low fat dairy products would improve the calcium content of the diet.”

Dr. Roebothan said residents in the province were aware that numerous factors, such as diet, affected their health, but many did not act on this knowledge. Only 72 per cent of those diagnosed with high blood cholesterol and 73 per cent of those diagnosed with hypertension were changing their behaviour to deal with these medical problems. “Although 83 per cent of residents were aware of Canada's Food Guide to Health Eating, only 27 per cent used that guide.”

Although it is difficult to compare data since earlier nutrition studies were not as extensive, Dr. Roebothan said that the comparisons they were able to do with a study from 1966 showed that the intakes of some nutrients appeared less in 1996. And in the eight years since the survey was done, the trend to eating too much of the wrong kinds of food has continued.

She also found it disturbing that although most of the population were consuming too many calories, there was a small group that simply didn't get enough to eat.

“We need to eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy products and lean meat, poultry and fish. We need to eat less fat and refined sugars, eat smaller portions and be active at work and play.”

Dr. Roebothan said the results of Nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador can be used as baseline data for the future surveillance of dietary intakes and nutritional status of provincial residents. “The findings can and should also be used in planning and developing health promotion policies and programs.”