[Conclusions of the Canary Islands Nutrition Survey (1997-98). Foundations for a nutrition policy in Canary Islands].
The principal findings of the Canary Island Nutrition survey (ENCA). 1997-98 are presented. This survey was realised to obtain the following objectives: to evaluate eating habits and nutritional status utilising dietary, anthropometric and biochemical indicators in the Canary Island population along with determining lifestyle factors and the prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, a survey evaluating food-related knowledge and attitudes was also carried out. To attain this end, a cross-sectional study was realised in a representative sample of the Canary Island population aged 6 to 75 years (n = 1,747). This article summarises the key findings related to study objectives as well as study-derived recommendations to be realised within a Canary Island health and nutrition policy framework. For this purpose, the development of food based dietary guidelines addressed to meet target nutrients is needed.