07/01/2026

Food Habits of Canadians: Reduction in Fat Intake Over a Generation

Authors: Katherine Gray-Donald, PhD, Linda Jacobs-Starkey, PhD and Louise Johnson-Down, MSc

Journal/publication: Canadian Journal of Public Health 91(5): 2000
Abstract

    Purpose: A national survey of adult Canadians (n=1,544) was recently undertaken (1997-1998) to monitor whether changes in dietary intake have occurred since the last Canadian dietary survey, conducted a generation ago (1970).
    Methods: Individuals from randomly selected households from a stratified sample of 80 enumeration areas from five regions of Canada were interviewed by a dietitian at home for a 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire.
    Results: The mean dietary % energy from protein (16-18%), carbohydrate (50-56%) and fat (29-31%) was close to recommended levels in the different age-sex groups. Fat intake was reduced from previous surveys. Intakes of dairy products and fruits and vegetables are lower than recommended. Nutrient values at the 25th percentile of the nutrient distribution, were below recommended levels for calcium, folate, iron and zinc among women.
    Conclusion: Despite the growing problem of obesity, Canadians are eating less fat than a generation ago but intake of certain nutrients is still suboptimal.

    Reproduced with permission of the Canadian Journal of Public Health.

Interpretation/relevance to beef industry:

Comment…from BIC registered dietitians

  • Iron and zinc intakes were low for a significant proportion of women of childbearing age.

  • Beef is an important source of both iron and zinc.

  • Women selected about 2 servings (75 g each) of Meat & Alternatives per day. Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommends 2-3 servings per day (50-100 g each).

  • A significant proportion of the population were choosing less than the minimum number of servings from each of the four major food groups.

  • Foods considered as extras and not part of the four food groups of the Food Guide provided 26-29% of energy and 24-34% of fat intake in the different age-sex groups, but only very small amounts of protein and micronutrients.”

  • Results of this study have been published in the booklet Food Habits of Canadians: changing nutrition issues.

This study received funding from the Beef Industry Development Fund, nutrition research initiative, a federal/provincial initiative.