AIM: The aim of the study was to determine mean food availability based on the data of national Household Budget Surveys (HBS) provided for the years 1999 and 2004, and also to identify the trends in dietary patterns of the Croatian population according to the Data Food Networking (DAFNE) procedure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Croatian National Statistics Bureau conducted the first HBS survey in 1999 on the sample of 2937 households and the second in 2004 on 2847 households, respectively. Those two raw data sets together with the data on relevant socio-demographic characteristics: household locality, number of household members, education and occupation of the household head were sent to the DAFNE coordinating centre in Athens. A post-harmonisation of the raw data was performed according to DAFNE procedure. Further, data were statistically analysed and integrated into the DAFNE databank (DafneSoft).

RESULTS: Average daily food availability per person/day for both surveyed years seems to be satisfying. However, a dietary pattern showed discrepancies between proposed dietary guidelines and consumption of some food items. In comparison with proposed daily intake of 400 grams or more of fruits and vegetables, an average availability is lower and accounts 343 grams in 1999 and 314 grams in 2004. Availability of fish and seafood is low (23-27 g) but in the same time daily availability of meat and meat products is high (181-186 g), especially regarding red meat. During the five year period a decreasing trend is evident for availability of most food items, including lipids and sugar products. The availability has increased only for nuts, fruit and vegetable juices. The differences in availability of certain food groups are evident amongst some socio-economic categories of households. In urban households the availability of milk products, fish, vegetables, fruit and fruit juices is higher than in rural households, as it is in households with higher educated in comparison to low educated household heads. The highest food availability is registered in households with one person. However, there is a general trend that the food quantities are lowering in households with a growing number of persons.

CONCLUSION: The data of HBS harmonised and statistically analysed according to DAFNE methodology offers the possibility to monitor and compare dietary habits and trends in food availability on national level as well as across European countries. If the HBS data are properly expanded and exploited they could become valuable tool for planning national food and nutrition policy, development of national dietary guidelines, promotion of healthy eating, planning and implementation of public health interventions, and for many other positive features.