[Determinants of fat consumption in a general population].

In a random sample of the adult population (aged 25-64 yr) from Ghent and Charleroi in Belgium, dietary fat consumption was estimated using both qualitative and quantitative dietary methods. A fat consumption score (FCS) was constructed from the qualitative method and correlated significantly with the dietary P/S ratio calculated from the quantitative method. Differences in FCS were then studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. In both men and women FCS was higher in Charleroi than in Ghent. In men FCS was inversely related with educational level and with age and positively related with BMI. In women no significant correlations were observed. In the middle-aged group (aged 45-64 yr) significant correlations were found between FCS and the fatty acid composition of the cholesterol-esters, in particular with the linoleate/oleate ratio.