One in four French people eats only two meals a day
The model of three meals a day, remains mainly followed by all French people, according to a recent study carried out by INSERM, National Institute of Health and Medical Research. However, this study published on March 31, also reveals that a quarter of French people adopt different eating habits, and take only two meals a day .
More than 3000 attendees
In order to identify the practices and habits of the French in terms of meals, the researchers followed for an entire week around 3,000 people in Île-de-France , participating in the vast SIRS program launched in 2005: ” Working in this area is a big advantage because all types of populations are represented there, qualified or not, privileged or not, of all ages, and of different cultures and with differences in education and wages that can be significant “, explains Pierre Chauvin, who manages the works.
After analyzing the results, the scientists observed that three quarters of French people eat three meals a day and that the remaining quarter eat two meals a day, and “ often skip breakfast ”. The researchers also identified five population groups with different dietary habits.
Five general mealtime practices for the French
The first three practices concern three-quarters of individuals having their meal three times a day : for one-third of them, lunch is mainly taken outside, at the workplace, or in a restaurant, with friends or colleagues, and for a shift, all meals are taken at home with the family. ” These are the ones who best follow the instruction of the five fruits and vegetables “, specify the authors. For the remaining 17%, meals are also taken at home, but alone, in front of the television or while listening to the radio. These are mainly the elderly .
The last two practices include individuals taking two meals a day. They also report having regular snacking during the day, and not following nutritional recommendations. Two categories of people follow this pattern:
- In the first, people eat at home most often, with family and in front of the television, at irregular rhythms. ” These individuals are not well off, less educated, more often of foreign origin “, explains INSERM.
- The second category represents individuals taking their meals outside in conviviality. These are mainly young workers, with an urban lifestyle.
For scientists, this study makes it possible to adjust public health messages to French people’s habits , in order to improve and better target campaigns.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.