Subject(s)
Cholesterol/blood , Coronary Disease/epidemiology , Dietary Fats , Adult , Belgium , Butter , Coronary Disease/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Margarine , Middle Aged , RiskSubject(s)
Carbohydrate Metabolism , Cardiovascular System/drug effects , Contraceptives, Oral/adverse effects , Lipid Metabolism , Adult , Cholesterol/blood , Diabetes Mellitus/chemically induced , Estrogens/pharmacology , Female , Humans , Hyperglycemia/chemically induced , Hyperlipidemias/chemically induced , Male , Progestins/pharmacology , Triglycerides/bloodABSTRACT
Belgians have been gradually shifting from a low ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fat in their food to a higher one with lower total fat and cholesterol. This has occurred predominantly in the north, where the most obvious change is a decrease in butter consumption and an increase in margarine consumption. The northerners have a four to five times smaller intake of butter than the southerners and nearly double the intake of margarine. Evidence gathered over the past ten years reveals in the north a decreasing serum-cholesterol and in the south a significantly higher serum-cholesterol, associated with higher coronary morbidity and mortality. Life expectancy of males in the north is 2-4 years higher at birth and 2-2 years higher at the age of 30. It is concluded that the food habits of a population can be changed, with great benefit.