Seven Countries Study
Seven Countries Study (pronunciation: sev-en coun-tries stud-y) is a pioneering epidemiological research study initiated by Ancel Keys in 1956. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns, particularly fat intake, and the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in different populations.
Etymology
The term "Seven Countries Study" is derived from the fact that the research was conducted across seven countries, namely the United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia (now Croatia and Serbia), and Japan.
Overview
The Seven Countries Study was a longitudinal study that followed approximately 13,000 middle-aged men for a period of 50 years. The study's primary objective was to examine the correlation between diet, particularly the consumption of saturated fats, and the incidence of coronary heart disease. The results of the study significantly influenced dietary guidelines in many countries, leading to recommendations for reduced intake of saturated fats to prevent CHD.
Findings
The study found a strong correlation between the consumption of saturated fats and the incidence of coronary heart disease. The populations with the highest intake of saturated fats, such as the United States and Finland, had the highest rates of CHD. Conversely, the populations with the lowest intake of saturated fats, such as Japan and Greece, had the lowest rates of CHD.
Criticism
The Seven Countries Study has been criticized for its methodology and interpretation of results. Critics argue that Keys selectively chose countries that would support his hypothesis, excluding countries with low fat intake but high rates of heart disease, and vice versa.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Seven Countries Study
- Wikipedia's article - Seven Countries Study
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski