Energy density of the Scottish diet: analysis from the Expenditure and Food Survey

Abstract

*SIMD Quintiles: 1 = most deprived; 5 = least deprived n refers to the number of households and weighted (wt) n refers to the weighted number of people in the sample. Overall the mean combined ED of the Scottish diet was 723 kJ (172 kcal)/100 g. Analysis by SIMD found that those living in the most deprived areas were consuming diets with significantly higher ED than the most affluent. The mean ED of households achieving the Scottish Dietary Targets for fat ( £ 35 % food energy) and fruit and vegetables ( ‡ 400 g/d) was significantly lower than for non-achieving households (574 kJ/100 g (95 % CI 564, 584), n 309, compared with 734 kJ/100 g (95% CI 728, 740), n 4168)), P < 0.001. Food purchase data from the EFS have successfully provided a means of estimating the ED for the Scottish diet. The results show that the average ED of the Scottish diet is considerably higher than the public health goal recommended by the WCRF. ED was not uniform across the population. The average ED was highest in the most deprived fifth of the population by residential area and much nearer to the WCRF public health goal in those who meet dietary guidelines for fat and fruit and vegetables. Overall the analysis suggests that only a small fraction of the population were able to achieve an ED commensurate with the WCRF public health goal.