Characterisation of meat consumption across socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric groups in Switzerland: results from the National Nutrition Survey menuCH

OBJECTIVE: Characterising meat consumption in Switzerland across socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric groups. DESIGN: Representative national data from the menuCH survey (two 24-hour dietary recalls, anthropometric measurements and a lifestyle questionnaire) were used to analyse the total average daily intake of meat and main meat categories. Energy-standardised average intake (g/1000 kcal) was calculated and its association with 12 socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric variables was investigated using multivariable linear regression. SETTING: Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 2057 participants aged 18–75 years. RESULTS: Average total meat intake was 109 g/d, which included 43 g/d of processed meat, 37 g/d of red meat and 27 g/d of white meat. Energy-standardised meat intake was highest for men, the Italian-language region and the youngest age group (18–29 years). Regression results showed significantly lower total meat and red meat consumption (g/1000 kcal) for women than men. However, there were no sex-specific differences for white meat. Total meat and white meat consumption were positively associated with the 18–29 age group, compared with 30–44 years, non-Swiss compared with Swiss participants and one-parent families with children compared with couples without children. Consumption of all categories of meat showed positive associations for BMI > 25 kg/m(2) compared with BMI 18·5–25 kg/m(2) and for French- and Italian-language regions compared with German-language region. CONCLUSION: The current study reveals that there are significant differences in the amounts and types of meat consumed in Switzerland, suggesting that evidence-based risks and benefits of these categories need to be emphasised more in meat consumption recommendations.