National Diet and Nutrition Survey: UK food consumption and nutrient intakes from the first year of the rolling programme and comparisons with previous surveys

Abstract

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) is a cross-sectional survey designed to gather data representative of the UK population on food consumption, nutrient intakes and nutritional status. The objectives of the present paper were to identify and describe food consumption and nutrient intakes in the UK from the first year of the NDNS rolling programme and compare these with the 2000-01 NDNS of adults aged 19 -64 years and the 1997 NDNS of young people aged 4 -18 years. Differences in median daily food consumption and nutrient intakes between the surveys were compared by sex and age group (4-10 years, 11-18 years and 19-64 years). There were no changes in energy, total fat or carbohydrate intakes between the surveys. Children aged 4 -10 years had significantly lower consumption of soft drinks (not low calorie), crisps and savoury snacks and chocolate confectionery in 2008 -09 than in 1997 (all P,0·0001). The percentage contribution of non-milk extrinsic sugars to food energy was also significantly lower than in 1997 in children aged 4-10 years (P,0·0001), contributing 13·7 -14·6 % in 2008-09 compared with 16·8 % in 1997. These changes were not as marked in older children and there were no changes in these foods and nutrients in adults. There was still a substantial proportion (46 %) of girls aged 11-18 years and women aged 19-64 years (21 %) with mean daily Fe intakes below the lower reference nutrient intake. Since previous surveys there have been some positive changes in intakes especially in younger children. However, further attention is required in other groups, in particular adolescent girls.

Dietary vitamin D consumption, sunlight exposure, sunscreen use and parental knowledge of vitamin D sources in a cohort of children aged 1–6 years in North West England

“…Parents' knowledge of food sources was poor, with a mean (±SD) incorrect response of 76% ±11·2. Contrastingly, 93% correctly identified sunlight exposure as a potential source of vitamin D. Eighty nine percent of participants played outdoors daily for 1 hour or more, 81% used sunscreen with an SPF ≥30 and only 2% rarely applied sunscreen.This study revealed that children's diet in the NW England is lacking sufficient vitamin D content, in line with larger surveys (7,8) . Parents' knowledge regarding vitamin D dietary sources was poor but 93% of parents knew that sunlight was the non-dietary source of vitamin D. Outdoor play indicated sufficient exposure time to produce endogenous vitamin D but sunscreen usage may have potentially diminished epidermal UVB exposures.…”

“…This study revealed that children's diet in the NW England is lacking sufficient vitamin D content, in line with larger surveys (7,8) . Parents' knowledge regarding vitamin D dietary sources was poor but 93% of parents knew that sunlight was the non-dietary source of vitamin D. Outdoor play indicated sufficient exposure time to produce endogenous vitamin D but sunscreen usage may have potentially diminished epidermal UVB exposures.…”

Consumo de macronutrientes e ingestão inadequada de micronutrientes em adultos

“…Protein's contribution to total calorie intake was similar in Brazil, the United States h and the United Kingdom. 29 However, the proportion of lipids was higher in the United States h and the United Kingdom 29 and the proportion of carbohydrates was higher in Brazil than in these two countries. The Mexicans consumed fewer calories derived from protein and more deriving from carbohydrates compared to the Brazilians.…”

Consumo de macronutrientes e ingestão inadequada de micronutrientes em adultos

“…14 Protein's contribution to total calorie intake was similar in Brazil, the United States h and the United Kingdom. 29 However, the proportion of lipids was higher in the United States h and the United Kingdom 29 and the proportion of carbohydrates was higher in Brazil than in these two countries. The Mexicans consumed fewer calories derived from protein and more deriving from carbohydrates compared to the Brazilians.…”