Current Dietary Pattern In Central Italy

摘要

Nutrition is considered to be one of the key components in the development of most chronic degenerative diseasesso that medical nutrition therapy has become important in their primary prevention. Food-based dietary guidelinesprovide the following values: the Lowest Threshold Intake (LTI), the Average Requirement (AR) and the Population ReferenceIntake (PRI) or Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). RDA indicates the quantity of a nutrient that must bepresent in the food supply if the dietary requirements of most of the population are to be met. Contrary to the establishedoptimistic belief about Mediterranean diet, we have repeatedly documented widespread unhealthy dietary behaviours inadult subjects living in Pisa. The distribution of energy sources was incorrect and fibre consumption did not match generalguidelines. Moreover, mild to moderate combined element (calcium) and vitamin (vitamin B1, folates, vitamin D, and vitaminE) deficient intakes were observed. The finding of essential nutrient deficiencies in otherwise over-nourished adultsprompted us to reconsider the variety and abundance of foods required to guarantee the reference requirements for thosesubstances and which are the historical, environmental, and contingent factors able to prevent the adequacy of food suppliesin meeting physiological needs.