Nutritional Analysis of the Spanish Population: A New Approach Using Public Data on Consumption

Isabel Cerrillo, Pablo Saralegui-Díez, Rubén Morilla-Romero- de-la-Osa (), Manuel González de Molina and Gloria I. Guzmán
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Isabel Cerrillo: Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Engineering, Area of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Carretera de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
Pablo Saralegui-Díez: Alimentta, Think Tank para la Transición Alimentaria, 18320 Santa Fe, Spain
Rubén Morilla-Romero- de-la-Osa: Alimentta, Think Tank para la Transición Alimentaria, 18320 Santa Fe, Spain
Manuel González de Molina: Alimentta, Think Tank para la Transición Alimentaria, 18320 Santa Fe, Spain
Gloria I. Guzmán: Alimentta, Think Tank para la Transición Alimentaria, 18320 Santa Fe, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Official population consumption data are frequently used to characterize the diet of countries; however, this information may not always be representative of reality. This study analyses the food consumption of the Spanish population by reconstructing the whole food chain. The results have been compared with the data provided by the National Consumption Panel to which the food losses/waste reported in the literature along the distribution chain have been added. The difference between them allowed a new calculation of the estimated food consumption that was subjected to a dietary-nutritional analysis. Most of the foods were consumed more than those officially reported (range of 5–50%). The unhealthy ratios of consumed foods and recommended servings were: meat products (Rcr = 3.6), fruits and legumes (Rcr = 0.5), and nuts (Rcr = 0.14). Caloric intake surpasses needs. The results were consistent with the data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spain, as well as with the prevalence of associated diseases. To make a judgment about the quality of a country’s diet, it is necessary to have reliable data on food consumption, as well as energy and nutrient intake. This study encourages other authors to implement this method to verify and quantify the possible difference between official and real consumption data.

Keywords: nutritional status; diet food and nutrition; nutrition policy; public health; public sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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