| Dietary fat is an essential nutrient, providing energy, essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins which play an important structural and functional role within the body. As essential fatty acids and phospholipids they are integral constituents of cell membranes and fulfil many other vital roles, such as in the normal development and function of the nervous system and the skin. In spite of this it has become clear that the increased fat intake characteristic of populations in developed countries has been associated with a near epidemic of obesity and fat related health problems. |