The Use of Novel Foods Enriched with Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids to Increase Dietary Intake: A Comparison of Methodologies Assessing Nutrient Intake

To evaluate the effect of consuming a variety of foods enriched in long-chain n-3 fatty acids in low fish eaters. Evaluation of reported dietary intakes in a 6-month, double-blind, randomized, controlled parallel design trial. Eighty-five men and women with overweight and mildly elevated triglyceride levels who have a low habitual intake of fish. Subjects were randomized to consume foods either enriched in long-chain n-3 fats or control foods (not enriched). Subjects were asked to consume eight portions per day (equivalent to approximately 1 g/day long-chain n-3 fatty acid if randomized to the intervention). Reported energy, macronutrient, and fatty acid intakes were measured by diet history, 3-day food records, and body weight. Repeated measures analysis of variance, Kruskall-Wallis test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman plots were conducted. The two groups did not differ in mean dietary intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acid intake at baseline (258 mg and 313 mg for the intervention and control groups, respectively). At 6 months the intervention group members increased their intake of long-chain n-3 fats 4.5-fold compared with baseline and with the control group ( P