Trends in food availability in Switzerland, 1961-2007

Trends in food availability in Switzerland were assessed using the Food and Agricultural Organization food balance sheets for the period 1961-2007. A relatively stable trend in the daily caloric supply was found: 3545 kcal/day in 1961 and 3465 kcal/day in 2007. Calories associated with carbohydrates decreased (slope +/- se.: -1.1 +/- 0.2 kcal/day/year), namely regarding cereals (-2.9 +/- 0.6 kcal/day/year) and fruit (-1.5 +/- 0.1 kcal/day/year), while the availability of sugars increased (1.2 +/- 0.5 kcal/day/year). In 1961, protein, fat, carbohydrates and alcohol represented 10.6, 33.5, 50.0 and 5.9% of total caloric supply, respectively; in 2007, the values were 10.8, 40.3, 43.7 and 5.2%. In 1961, palm, groundnut and sunflowerseed oil represented 3.4, 30.7 and 5.3% of total vegetable oils, respectively; in 2007, the values were 10.4, 3.7 and 31.6%. We conclude that between 1961 and 2007 total caloric availability remained relatively stable in Switzerland; the health effects of the increased and differing fat availability should be evaluated. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012) 66, 273-275; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2011.187; published online 2 November 2011