Quantitative risk-benefit assessment of fish and seafood consumption scenarios to support recommendations

• Type: Other Publications
• Date: 2021

Authors

Carvalho, C (Author) Other; Correia, D (Author) Other; Severo, M (Author) Other; Afonso, C (Author) Other; Bandarra, NM (Author) Other; Goncalves, S (Author) Other; Lourenco, HM (Author) Other; Dias, MG (Author) Other; Oliveira, L (Author) Other; Nabais, P (Author) Other; Carmona, P (Author) Other; Monteiro, S (Author) Other; Borges, M (Author) Other; Lopes C (Author) FMUP; Torres, Duarte (Author) FCNAUP

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-H29

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.113

Abstract (EN): <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Fish/seafood consumption has health benefits, namely due to its omega-3 fatty acids levels and risks due to methylmercury contamination. This study aims to quantify the health impact of hypothetical scenarios of fish/seafood consumption through a risk-benefit assessment and provide support for recommendations, using Portuguese food consumption data.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We used data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016 (n¿=¿5811) to estimate the mean exposure to methylmercury and EPA+DHA in the current and alternative scenarios. Alternative scenarios were modelled using probabilistic approaches to reflect substitutions from the current consumption in the type of fish/seafood (predatory vs low-mercury species) or its frequency (1-7x/week). The overall scenarios¿ impact was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>About 14% of the Portuguese population exceeds the methylmercury tolerable weekly intake, and this prevalence is higher among small children (36.6%). Nevertheless, if the fish/seafood consumption increased to once a day, ¿11450 DALYs could be prevented each year. However, such a scenario would result in higher risk for pregnant women (1398 extra DALYs). Moreover, excluding predatory species consumption resulted in small but significant health gains (-1078 DALYs).</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>For the general population, the maximum health gains are obtained by consuming fish/seafood up to 7x/week, but among children and pregnant women, the frequency should be limited to 3-5x/week. All population should preferably choose non-predatory species.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Key messages</jats:title> <jats:p>Daily fish consumption results in the highest overall populational health gain, but children and pregnant women need to limit it to 3-5x/week, due to methylmercury exposure.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific