K. T. Achaya ¹

Affiliations
1 United Nations University Programme, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 013, IN

Abstract

In contrast to the substantial body of information now available even in many developing countries on intakes of calories, proteins, and even some vitamins and minerals, data on fat intakes are scanty. One reason is that fat comes to us in two ways, as fat per se and as hidden fat in the various articles of food consumed, which are difficult to compute. The other is that it is not easy to define optimum levels of fat intake when consumption variations are several-fold. Yet fats are important as carriers of the essential fatty acids, linolenic and to a lesser extent linolenic; these are known to be the precursors of prostaglandins which are synthesised in practically every organ in the body and have an enormous range of vital functions.

Full Text

     

K. T. Achaya ¹

Affiliations
1 Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India, Bombay, IN

Abstract

In Parts I and II of this series, detailed dietary surveys carried out in Western India (Gujarat and Maharashtra States)', Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu States)' and metropolitan Calcutta" were used as the basis for computing both the invisible and visible fat intakes from various regional Indian dietaries, segmenting the populations both by age and by income.

Full Text

     

K. T. Achaya ¹

Affiliations
1 Protein Foods Nutrition and Development Association of India, Bombay, IN

Abstract

The availability of edible fats and oils in India in recent years, the consumption of such fat as estimated in recent dietary surveys and the influence on such consumption of several parameters was considered in Part I.

Full Text

     

K. T. Achaya ¹

Affiliations
1 Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India, Bombay, IN

Abstract

An earlier paper' attempted to examine the amount of invisible fat obtaining in certain average regional Indian dietaries, and to indicate its fatty acid profile.

Full Text

     

K. T. Achaya ¹

Affiliations
1 Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India, 22 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Bombay - 400026, IN

Abstract

Average consumption of fat per se in India, in the form of vegetable oil, vanaspati, and butter or ghee, is known from dietary surveys to be about 10 to 20 grams daily. A large segment of the population, sometimes stated to be a third, is believed to use no fat at all. Yet it is obvious that most of the foodstuffs commonly consumed contain some quantity of fat, however small, which cumulatively could be important to the individual. This note attempts to examine the amount of such invisible fat in certain regional Indian dietaries, and its nutritional quality in respect of the level of the essential fatty acid, linoleic. Because of the many uncertainties involved, the present estimates represent only first approximations to the real situation.

Full Text