From carbohydrates to fat: Trends in food intake among Swedish nutrition students from 2002 to 2017

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 28;15(1):e0228200. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228200. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Earlier studies have implied a change in dietary habits of the Swedish population towards a low carbohydrate, high fat diet. Questions have been raised about the development in recent years and potential health effects. We have investigated the dietary intake of Swedish female students enrolled in a university nutrition course between 2002 and 2017. The students carried out self-reporting of all food and drink intake over one weekday and one weekend day. Intake of macronutrients (E%) and micronutrients were calculated for the whole period while statistical analysis was performed for changes between 2009 and 2017 (729 women). Results showed significant changes in carbohydrate intake (from 47.0 to 41.4 E%) and fat intake (from 31.7 to 37.5 E%). Carbohydrate intake was significantly lower than the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (45-60 E%). However, daily fiber intake remains high (3.0 g/MJ) in a national context, and intake of vitamin D and folate appears to increase during the period. The results suggest that the observed national transition from carbohydrate to fat intake persists, and that it might be especially evident among individuals interested in food and nutrition. Considering the fiber and micronutrient intake, the change is not necessarily unfavorable for this particular group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Carbohydrates / analysis*
  • Dietary Fats / analysis*
  • Dietary Proteins / analysis
  • Eating*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutritional Sciences*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sweden
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins

Grants and funding

This study received support from the Linnaeus University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.