The German Food Code and Nutrient Data Base (BLS II.2).

This article describes the conception and structure of the German Food Code and Nutrient Data Base (BLS). The data bank contains approx. 12,000 coded foods, menus and menu components in different stages of processing with up to 158 nutritional data for each product. Since comparatively few analytical data on the composition of foods are available, the majority of the data in the BLS are based on nutritional data calculated from recipes. Thus, a standard instrument for an uninterrupted (no missing values) evaluation of consumption surveys is made available.

Intake of fatty acids in western Europe with emphasis on trans fatty acids: the TRANSFAIR Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) and other fatty acids in 14 Western European countries. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A maximum of 100 foods per country were sampled and centrally analysed. Each country calculated the intake of individual trans and other fatty acids, clusters of fatty acids and total fat in adults and/or the total population using the best available national food consumption data set. RESULTS: A wide variation was observed in the intake of total fat and (clusters) of fatty acids in absolute amounts. The variation in proportion of energy derived from total fat and from clusters of fatty acids was less. Only in Finland, Italy, Norway and Portugal total fat did provide on average less than 35% of energy intake. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) provided on average between 10% and 19% of total energy intake, with the lowest contribution in most Mediterranean countries. TFA intake ranged from 0.5% (Greece, Italy) to 2.1% (Iceland) of energy intake among men and from 0.8% (Greece) to 1.9% among women (Iceland) (1.2-6.7 g/d and 1.7-4.1 g/d, respectively). The TFA intake was lowest in Mediterranean countries (0.5-0.8 en%) but was also below 1% of energy in Finland and Germany. Moderate intakes were seen in Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway and UK and highest intake in Iceland. Trans isomers of C18:1 were the most TFA in the diet. Monounsaturated fatty acids contributed 9-12% of mean daily energy intake (except for Greece, nearly 18%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids 3-7%. CONCLUSION: The current intake of TFA in most Western European countries does not appear to be a reason for major concern. In several countries a considerable proportion of energy was derived from SFA. It would therefore be prudent to reduce intake of all cholesterol-raising fatty acids, TFA included.

[Prevalence of hay fever in Germany--East-West comparison and temporal trends]. / Heuschnupfenprävalenz in Deutschland--Ost-West-Vergleich und zeitlicher Trend.

In recent years several studies in children and adults have shown an increase in prevalence of atopic diseases in East and West Germany. The observed frequency of allergic diseases, however, was significantly lower in the East compared to the West. Using data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 and of National Surveys from 1990/92 it was examined, whether the reported increase in prevalence could be confirmed for the total population and whether the differences between East and West are still present. In a self-administered questionnaire, study participants were asked whether they have ever had hay fever. Additionally, in a physician's interview, subjects were asked whether a physician had ever diagnosed hay fever. The questionnaire data were used in comparison with the previous national surveys for the calculation of time trends. A total of 6974 persons filled in the questionnaire and 7099 persons took part in the interview. Physician-diagnosed hay fever was reported by 15% of the total study population. Clear differences in the prevalence rates between East and West Germany are still existing; 11% in the East and 17% in the West suffer from hay fever. In both parts of the country prevalence decreases with increasing age. The highest rates were found among those aged 20-29 and 30-39 years. Based on the questionnaire data the morbidity rose from about 10% in 1990/92 to 17% in 1998. The overall relative increase is quite comparable in East and West Germany. Stratification by age and gender shows considerable differences. In young women from East Germany the increase in prevalence is substantially higher and in women aged 40 years or older much lower than in West German women. In men this pattern has not been observed.

[Incidence of allergic diseases in East and West Germany]. / Häufigkeit allergischer Krankheiten in Ost- und Westdeutschland.

Using data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998, a remarkable difference in the prevalence of hay fever between East and West Germany has been observed. Several studies in children and adults have also shown a considerable East-West divergence in other allergic diseases and in sensitisation rates. The aim of this investigation was to examine whether in a representative sample of the adult German population East-West differences in the frequency of asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, urticaria, contact dermatitis and "other allergies" can be found. The calculations base on data of a physician's interview in which study participants were asked whether a physician had ever diagnosed one of the above mentioned diseases. A higher prevalence of all allergic diseases has been observed in West compared to East Germany and women from both parts of the country have higher morbidity rates than men. At least one physician-diagnosed allergy was reported by 40% of the study participants, whereas in East Germany about 30% and in the West 43% suffer from an allergic disease. The prevalence in women is 47% and in men 33%. Extremely high allergy rates were found among West German women at the age of 30-39 years (62%). Although the frequency of allergies decreases with increasing age, considerably high morbidity rates were ascertained even in the oldest age groups. The prevalence in participants aged 70-79 years amounts to 25%. Clear differences between East and West could be demonstrated in this age group, too (West 27% and East 14%).

Dietary recommendations and prevailing food and nutrient intakes in Germany.

Dietary recommendations on nutrient intakes as published by the German Society of Nutrition are only met by a very small proportion of the adult population in East and in West Germany. Dietary data from the Nutrition Survey and Risk Factor Analysis Study in West Germany and from the National Health Survey in East Germany were used to identify differences in nutrient intakes and in food consumption patterns between subgroups of the study participants that were close to, or failed to meet the dietary guidelines. The subgroups were created by dividing subjects into quartiles on the basis of their daily intakes of total fat (%energy), saturated fatty acids (%energy), fibre (g/d) and the food group fruit and vegetables (g/d). Comparisons of the consumption patterns between subjects in the first and in the fourth quartile of intake of the nutrients under study were performed. Differences in food and nutrient intakes were seen among those more compliant and less compliant with the recommendations. The presented analysis provides first indications for future improvements of the existing food-based dietary guidelines in Germany.

Maternal smoking in early childhood: a risk factor for bronchial responsiveness to exercise in primary-school children.

The relationship between maternal smoking and bronchial hyperresponsiveness as assessed by a standardized free running test was investigated in a cohort of 1812 primary-school children in first grade. A child's exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy, the first year of life, and the study year was recorded. Current exposure was not positively associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The prevalence of this disorder was higher when maternal smoking during the child's first year of life was reported (9%) than when it was not (5.9%). The odds of being hyperresponsive were significantly higher in children exposed to maternal smoking in their first year of life (odds ratio, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 6.34; p less than 0.01), especially in children with asthma (odds ratio, 20.55; 95% confidence interval, 2.5 to 168.9; p less than 0.01). Current exposure to maternal smoking was associated with less hyperresponsiveness. The effect of current maternal smoking might reflect changes in smoking habits by mothers of children with symptoms, whereas exposure to tobacco smoke in early life might be causally related to bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Our findings support the general hypothesis that early lung injuries have an impact on the later respiratory health of children.