Trends in Food Intake in Adults from the City of Erfurt before and after the German Reunification

Abstract

Three-day weighed dietary records from two surveys conducted in independent random population samples from Erfurt (East Germany) in 1987/88 (SI) and in 1991/92 (S2) were used to analyze trends in food intake before and after the German reunification. Structured records of 281 men and 256 women from SI and open-ended records of 353 men and 252 women from S2, all aged 25-64, were included into the comparison. Distinct changes were found for most foods. For instance, for men mean daily intake of fruit and fruit products increased from 115 to 154 g, intake of bread and baked goods decreased from 286 to 249g and intake of meat from 91 to 77 g. Respective figures for women were 137 vs. 180 g; 209 vs. 174 g and 62 vs. 53 g. Surprisingly similar changes in eating habits were observed with men and women. The majority of changes could be explained by the improved variety in food supply after the reunification.