Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in Poland, where many factors have been found responsible such as obesity, smoking cigarettes and a lack of physical activity. Amongst these are also nutritional determinants, which principally include the amount and types of dietary fatty acids consumed, coupled with low intakes of antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables.
Objectives: To assess nutrition in male subjects suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Materials and methods: Subjects were 95 men with cardiovascular disease aged 30-90 years. Nutrition was assessed by weighed food records over 3 days. The calorific dietary intake, as well as the proportions of calories derived from dietary protein, carbohydrates and fat were also calculated; this included vitamins and minerals.
Results: Only 18% subjects had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI); the rest falling into the overweight or obesity ranges. The average dietary calorific daily intakes were abnormally low at 1582 kcal/person, however the proportions of fat and protein making up this value were too high; respectively at 36% and 19%. The average daily consumption per person of cholesterol, fibre and vegetables were respectively 251 mg, 19 g and 608 g. A significant number were deficient in dietary minerals (eg. calcium, potassium and magnesium) as well as vitamins; especially A, B, and B2.
Conclusions: Persons suffering from cardiovascular disease require a diet with sufficient calories for their body needs. It is also vital that the dietary sources of energy are properly balanced between protein, carbohydrates and fats as well as having appropriate intakes of both vitamins and minerals (eg. calcium, magnesium and potassium).