[New recommendations for nutritional requirements for the Czechoslovak population]. / Nové odporúcané výzivové dávky pre obyvatel'stvo CSFR.

The authors present new recommended energy and nutrient allowances for the population of CSFR. The allowances are defined for 29 physiological groups, incl. 11 groups of children and adolescents and 18 groups of adults (productive age and more advanced age groups). The recommended allowances are the result of research of two teams--a Czech and a Slovak one--, results are published in the world literature, FAO and WHO reports. The recommended system can be considered an important step in the area of nutritional prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity.

[Trends in lipid consumption in the Czechoslovak population]. / Vývoj spotreby lipidu v nasí populaci.

The health status of our population is not satisfactory, an important part in this respect is played among others also by nutrition. The authors submit information on changes in the energy, protein and fat consumption of the Czechoslovak population during the period between 1936 and 1987. The increase in fat consumption is due in the first place to the increased consumption of meat, milk, eggs and fats. While in 1936 the mean consumption was 79.0 g of fat per head per day, in 1987 the intake was more than 129 g, i.e. by 63% higher. In addition to fats the greatest contribution to fat intake is made by meat and meat products (40%), milk and dairy products (18%) and cereal products (13%). The increase in lipid consumption is one of the risk factors participating in the development of cardiovascular diseases, the trend of which is alarming. Improvement can be achieved by a change of dietary habits; the prerequisite is a nation-wide programme with an active approach in all spheres--from farmers, the food industry and commerce to all types of communal and family catering.

Dietary copper intake of the population.

Average copper intakes by different groups of the Czech population, supplemented by the results of serum copper level determinations, are surveyed. It is shown that the dietary copper intake averages in males range from 1.26 to 3.08 mg per person per day, in females from 1.61 to 2.37 mg per person per day. The main copper sources are cereals and meat. Judged by the recommended allowances, dietary intakes of this trace element in Czechoslovakia appear adequate. This is supported by the serum copper levels (18.55-25.8 mumol/l) in the selected groups of the population: none of these was below the range of normal physiological limits.