Seven Countries Study

Seven Countries Study is a long-term epidemiological study directed by Ancel Keys at the University of Minnesota in the 1950s. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between diet and cardiovascular disease in different countries. The study was unique for its time, as it was among the first to explore the idea that lifestyle factors such as diet could affect cardiovascular health.

Background

The Seven Countries Study was conceived by Ancel Keys, a scientist at the University of Minnesota, who had a particular interest in the role of fatty acids in the development of heart disease. Keys was intrigued by data showing that heart disease mortality was lower in Mediterranean countries, despite high dietary fat intake. This led him to hypothesize that the type of fat in the diet, rather than the total amount of fat, could influence the risk of heart disease.

Study Design

The study involved nearly 13,000 middle-aged men in seven countries: the United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Japan. These countries were chosen to represent a wide range of dietary patterns and levels of cardiovascular disease. Participants were followed for a period of 10 years, during which time their diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes were closely monitored.

Findings

The Seven Countries Study found a strong correlation between diet and heart disease. Specifically, it found that populations that consumed a diet high in saturated fats had higher rates of heart disease. Conversely, populations that consumed a diet high in unsaturated fats, particularly those from fish and olive oil, had lower rates of heart disease.

Criticism and Impact

The Seven Countries Study has been both praised and criticized. Critics argue that the study was flawed because it did not include countries with low rates of heart disease and high fat intake, which could have challenged Keys' hypothesis. Despite these criticisms, the study has had a significant impact on public health policies and dietary guidelines. It has led to the widespread recommendation to reduce intake of saturated fats to prevent heart disease.

See Also

• Mediterranean diet
• Cardiovascular disease
• Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease
• Ancel Keys

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  Ancel Keys 1959