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National Diet and Nutrition Survey | Our findings

A rolling snapshot of the diet and nutrition status of the UK population

Findings suggest that the overall picture of the diet and nutrition of the UK population is broadly similar to previous surveys in the NDNS series carried out between 1992 and 2001.  Intakes of saturated fat and sugars remain above recommended levels. The analyses presented in this report do not identify any new nutritional problems in the general population.

Adults aged 19 to 64 years on average consumed 4.2 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and older adults 4.4 portions. 30% of adults and 37% of older adults met the five-a-day recommendation.

Mean consumption of fruit and vegetables was 3.1 portions per day for boys aged 11-18 years and 2.7 portions per day for girls.  13% of boys and 7% of girls in this age group met the five-a-day recommendation.

Mean energy intakes for adults were 1918 kcal/day for adults aged 19-64 years and 1721 kcal/day for adults aged 65 years and over.  In children mean energy intakes ranged from 1127kcal/day for children aged 1.5-3 years, 1556 kcal/day for children aged 4-10 years and 1827 kcal/day for children aged 11-18 years.

Mean intake of total fat were within the recommended level (no more than 35% food energy) in all age/sex groups except for those aged 65 years and over for whom total fat provided on average 37.1% (men) and 35.9% (women) food energy.

Mean intakes of saturated fat exceeded the recommended level (no more than 11% food energy) in all age groups.  Mean saturated fat intake for adults 19-64 years was 12.8% food energy.

Mean intakes of trans fatty acids provided 0.7-0.9% of food energy for all age groups, thus meeting the recommended level (no more than 2% food energy).

Mean NMES intakes exceeded the recommended level (no more than 11% food energy) for children aged 4-18 years and adults aged 19- 64 years.  Soft drinks were the largest contributor to NMES intake for children aged 4-18 years.

A quarter of adults aged 19-64 years and more than a third of adults aged 65 years and over reported taking at least one dietary supplement during the four-day diary.