Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains a major health problem in affluent societies. This paper explores whether a low-fat diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids is a practical proposition for free living young adults. Healthy young Australian adults being trained as health professionals were requested to undertake a computer-assisted analysis of their usual diets and to formulate a modified diet with monounsaturated fatty acids as the major fat source. Subjects also documented their body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement. Sixty-three students provided sufficient information to be included in the analysis. Six females and three males fell outside the optimal BMI range and five females and two males fell into the 'at risk' waist measurement zone. Thirty-three females and 13 males had a relatively high saturated fat intake, and 15 females and 10 males successfully modified their diet and implemented a diet relatively rich in monounsaturated fat. It is suggested that waist measurement is a predictor of cardiovascular risk and is reputed to be a better index of blood lipids than BMI. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats improves the blood cholesterol profile and one in which monounsaturated fats constitute less than 30% of the total energy derived from fat is a practical recommendation for young adults. This study group did, however, find that such a diet was less convenient and more expensive than a diet rich in saturated fat. This study concludes that selection of a low fat diet which favours monounsaturated fatty acid food sources and personal monitoring of waist measurement are two practical strategies which individuals can readily implement when taking responsibility for promoting their cardiovascular health.