Article

We attempted to quantify the burden of cardiovascular disease that can be
prevented by broader adherence to recommendations on dietary intake of key
nutrients. METHODS: A computer model capturing the epidemiology of chronic
disease and risk factors in the Dutch population was used to simulate differences
in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease under various scenarios defined by
levels of intake of saturated and trans fatty acids, fruit, vegetables and fish.
The following scenarios were compared with the current situation: (i) the whole
population adhering to recommendations (optimum scenario); (ii) a moderate
improvement and (iii) increased intake of fruit as has been achieved in an actual
intervention ('fruit at work'). Other outcome measures assessed were (differences
in) life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for a 40-year-old individual.
RESULTS: In the optimum scenario, cumulative incidence prevented over a period of
20 years was 240,000 cases for acute myocardial infarction, or 30% of the
expected number of cases, 328,000 (16%) for other coronary heart disease and
215,000 (21%) for stroke. For the moderate improvement scenario, the
corresponding figures were 119,000 (14%), 163 000 (8%) and 105,000 (10%),
respectively. The individual contributions of each of the separate dietary
factors were greatest for fish, followed in decreasing order by fruit,
vegetables, saturated and trans fatty acids. Only fish and fruit contributed to a
decrease in strokes. In the optimum scenario, 1 year was added to the life
expectancy of a 40-year-old individual and half a year in the moderate
improvement scenario. CONCLUSION: Broader adherence to recommendations for daily
intake of fruit, vegetables, fish and fatty acid composition may take away as
much as 20-30% of the burden of cardiovascular disease and result in
approximately 1 extra life year for a 40-year-old individual. Promotion of a
healthy diet should be given more emphasis in the prevention of cardiovascular
disease.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI