|
Denmark: Consumption of fish increases |
|
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 13:14 |
|
Danish consumption of fish has increased from 133 g a week in 2002 to 154 g a week in 2008, an increase of over 15%. Adults consume on average 16 g of fish a day while children in the 10-17 year age bracket consume only 7 g and those in the 4-10 year age group eat 8 g a day. The study was conducted by the National Food Institute for the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and covered fresh, frozen and smoked fish, conserves, and shellfish. Fish is an important source of certain fatty acids as well as of vitamin D and selenium.
Although the survey showed an increase in fish consumption among Danes the amount consumed is still well below official recommendations which stand at 200-300 g a week corresponding to 30-40 g a day. The average adult consumption of 16 g a day corresponds to a fish fillet a week. The low levels of fish consumption is among the reasons for the low levels of vitamin D in the diet. The study was based upon a group of 4,500 people between 4 and 75 years who over the course of a week registered what they ate. The data was collected between 2003 and 2008 and similar studies have been conducted in 1985, 1995 and 2000-2002.
|
