Meat consumption after disaggregation of meat dishes in a cohort of British adults in 1989 and 1999 in relation to diet quality

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to quantify more precisely the meat intake of a cohort of adults in the UK by disaggregating composite meat dishes. Subjects/Methods: Subjects were members of the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, 1946 birth cohort. Five-day diaries were collected from 2256 men and women in 1989 and 1772 men and women in 1999. From the details provided, composite meat dishes were broken down into their constituent parts and the meat fraction was added to meat portions only. Meat intake was classified as red meat, processed meat and poultry. Results: Meat consumption without disaggregation of meat dishes resulted in a mean overestimation of 50% in men and 33% in women. Red meat consumption fell between 1989 and 1999 from 51.7 to 41.5 g per day in men and 35.7 to 30.1 g per day in women. Poultry consumption rose from 21.6 to 32.2 g per day in men and 18.2 to 29.4 g per day in women. Re-calculating red meat intakes resulted in the percentage of subjects in 1999 consuming more than the recommendation of the World Cancer Research Fund falling from 30 to 12%. Increasing consumption of red and processed meat was associated with increased intakes of energy, fat, haem iron, zinc and vitamin B-12, and lower intake of fibre. Increased sodium intake was associated with increased consumption of processed meat. Conclusions: Disaggregation of meat dishes provided a more precise estimate of meat consumption. The quantity of red or processed meat in the diet was reflected in the nutrient content of the entire diet. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 660-666; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2008.7; published online 20 February 2008