The realization of a project aimed at reducing the plasmatic lipid level in a large Italian population improves the mean calcium daily intake: The Brisighella Study

Objectives: Evaluation of the impact of a coronary heart disease prevention program on calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D dietary intake in respect of recommended daily allowances in a large Italian rural population. Design: Retrospective analysis of the Brisighella Study dietary data. The Brisighella Study started in 1972 as a longitudinal study on atherosclerosis risk factors. Setting: Brisighella, a rural North Italian village. Subjects: The Brisighella population's dietary habits were monitored from 1980 every 4 h through a dietary record sheet. 1350 constantly tested subjects were subdivided according to NHI Consensus Conference on Calcium RDA. Intervention: In 1986, the studied subjects were invited to reduce their consumption of animal fats and cholesterol through a Nutrition Educational Program (NEP). Results: Before NEP, calcium intake was low in each sex and age category: 20-40% of the population had a daily intake <550 mg. In 1988, among the 1350 subjects who constantly completed the questionnaire (M=651, F=699), the mean calcium intake significantly rose in all age categories: M=1003 (25-65 y) and 877 (>65) mg/24 h (P <0.001 vs 1984); F=923 (25-50), 860 (51-65) and 767 (>65)mg/24 h (P<0.05). In 1992, 3 y after the NEP conclusion, calcium intake dropped in each sex and age category. The NEP influenced vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium intakes less. Conclusions: A collective NEP aimed at lowering saturated fats and cholesterol intakes, improves the calcium intake; in order to maintain their efficacy on nutritional habit changes, these programs must become an ongoing item.