Dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status in adults: the French nutrition and health survey (ENNS, 2006-2007)

The French National Programme on Nutrition and Health (Programme national nutrition sante (PNNS)), the aim of which is to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases, necessitates monitoring of nutritional characteristics. Our objective was to describe dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status in a national sample of adults, especially according to current French recommendations. The study is based on a cross-sectional population-based survey using a multistage sampling design (Etude nationale nutrition sante (ENNS)). Between February 2006 and March 2007, 3115 18-74-year-old adults were included (participation rate 59.7%). Energy, macronutrient and food consumption were estimated through three randomly distributed 24 h recalls, and compared to PNNS recommendations; physical activity was described using International Physical Activity Questionnaire guidelines; anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were assessed according to national and international references. When compared to current recommendations, intake of carbohydrates (>50% energy intake without alcohol: 26.4%), SFA (<35% total lipids: 18.5%) and total fibre (>25 g/d: 13.7%) was frequently unsatisfactory. While overall consumption of 'meat, seafood and eggs' was satisfactory, that of fruits and vegetables (>= 400 g/d: 43.8%) and seafood (two or more servings per week: 29.9%) was frequently too low. The physical activity level was satisfactory at 63.2%. Overweight was observed in 49.3% of adults, while 30.9% were hypertensive and 44.1% had dyslipidaemia. Vitamin and iron-poor status was found to affect less than 10% of the population. Based on the ENNS survey, overall nutrition remains a problem in France. Comparison of these data with those of other countries could contribute to a better understanding of variations in nutrition-related diseases.