National and regional patterns of food consumption compared with nutritional recommendations for French adults: results of the 2021 national and overseas departments and regions (DROM) surveys by Santé publique France
Introduction – Diet is now recognized as one of the main modifiable risk factors contributing to the development of many chronic noncommunicable diseases. In France, the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) has aimed since 2001 to improve the health status of the entire population by addressing this factor. A key step in this effort is the assessment of the population’s dietary intake. Methods – Based on the results of the 2021 Santé publique France Barometer (mainland France and DROM—overseas departments and regions), this article presents the frequency of consumption by adults of several food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole-grain starchy foods, legumes, and sugary drinks compared to the PNNS recommendations, as well as associated sociodemographic factors. Results – In mainland France in 2021, 19% of men and 25% of women aged 18 to 85 reported fruit and vegetable consumption in line with the PNNS recommendations. Nearly 23% of adults consumed legumes twice a week or more, while 29% of men and 26% of women reported daily consumption of whole-grain starchy foods. Additionally, 18% of men and 12% of women consumed more than one glass of sugary drinks per day. Non-compliance with the recommendations, particularly insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables or excessive consumption of sugary drinks, was more common among men than women. Compliance with the recommendations improved with age and educational attainment, except for the consumption of whole-grain starchy foods. Different associations were observed with employment status, income, household type, and the size of the urban area. The Hauts-de-France, Normandy, and Grand Est regions stood out for having lower compliance than the French mainland average. The overseas departments and regions (DROM) presented situations that differed from those in mainland France. Conclusion – The regional variation in adult consumption of certain food groups helps to better define, guide, and evaluate regional public health policies regarding nutrition.
Author(s): Deschamps Valérie, Salanave Benoît, Verdot Charlotte
Publishing year: 2025
Pages: 112-123
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2025, n° 8, p. 112-123
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