The cholesterol/saturated fat index of the food supply and nutrient intake in an Israeli community compared with the general population

The average annual death rate from - as well as incidence of - myocardial infarction in the kibbutzim of the Upper Galilee, Northern Israel, is twice that of the general Israeli population. Since dietary habits probably have a role in the etiology of this chronic disease, we compared the food supply in two kibbutzim with the average Israeli consumption. Food supply and a sample of nutrient intake were computed and calculated per person. Energy, protein, and fat (including cholesterol and saturated fat) consumption in the kibbutzim was higher than the average Israeli intake. Similarly, the cholesterol/saturated fat index was 1.4 and 2.8 times higher in kibbutz A and 1.3 and 2.6 times higher in kibbutz B than the average for the Israeli population and the rcommended value, respectively. These findings may explain the high morbidity and mortality related to ischemic heart disease found in the kibbutzim.