OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyse Hungarian food consumption and intake patterns by analysing available supplies of basic macronutrients and compare them to the OECD average.

METHODS: Data were derived from the OECD Health Statistics database. Protein-; fat-; (grams/capita/day) and calorie supply (kcal/capita/day) were analysed in Hungary and were compared to the average values of OECD member states (N=38) between 2000-2018. The annual percent change (APC) of supplies (p<0.05) was analysed with joinpoint regression method. For calculations, we used the JoinPoint 4.9.0.0 software.

RESULTS: Fat supply in Hungary was 152.8 g/capita/day, 16.6 g/capita/day more than the OECD average in 2018. This indicator was higher in all years, by an average of 9.9±4.3 grams. A significant increasing trend was found between 2012-2018 (APC: 2.53%; p<0.05), while the OECD average also showed a positive trend between 2014-2018.Mean protein supply level of OECD started to increase slowly but significantly from 2012 (p<0.05). In contrast, Hungary showed a declining trend in more than two of the four periods identified by the model (2000-2002; 2005-2012), and since then there has also been an upward trend (APC: 2.12%; p<0.05). Nevertheless, the Hungarian supply (89.6 g/capita/day) was still below the international average (104.2 g/capita/day) in 2018. Daily calories supply was roughly in line with the OECD average or a few percent lower in Hungary, but its trend was steeper. In contrast to the almost constant international growth, after a decline between 2005 and 2012 (APC: -1.19%), an increase corresponding to the OECD average started in 2012 (APC: 1.81%), resulted in an increase from 3,172 to 3,316 kcal/capita/day in Hungary.

CONCLUSIONS: There are differences between Hungarian and international averages for the most important indicators (supplies) affecting consumption patterns. This fact confirms the legitimacy and importance of the efforts that focus on improving the lifestyle.