Intake of Trans Fatty Acids Estimated by Direct Dietary Measurement in Young Women

Abstract

We performed a 7-day dietary survey of 25 female university students, and calculated the intake of total trans fatty acids using the summation method. One of the 7 days was selected specifically to reproduce the daily diet for direct assessment of trans fatty acid intake. The reproduced diet sample was homogenized using a food processor, and the lipid and trans fatty acid contents were analyzed. The average (±SD) daily intake of total trans fatty acid was 0.95 (±0.31) g by calculation and 1.17 (±0.84) g by direct dietary measurement. The distribution of total trans fatty acid exhibited a positive coefficient of skewness, and outlier and extremal values were observed in 1 (2.82 g) and 2 (3.13 g and 3.27 g) subjects, respectively. The average intake of trans fatty acid in young women was lower than the WHO recommended energy ratio (<1%), and therefore we consider there is no concern regarding the effect of trans fatty acid intake on serum lipids. However, we clarified that the daily intake of trans fatty acid could become higher than the predicted value if processed foods containing high levels of trans fatty acid are consumed.