Making every calorie count

Abstract

AbstractWe live in a world where people are living longer and overweight and obesity are widespread, linked with a calorie intake in excess of the requirements of a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is known to increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. But is achieving energy balance the only challenge we face or is the scenario more complex? Evidence from dietary surveys indicates that calories should not be considered in isolation because poor diets are widespread, even in countries such as the UK. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey provides evidence of relatively low intakes of a number of essential vitamins and minerals among UK teenagers and young adults, in particular, and low intakes of fibre in all age groups, associated with low intakes of wholegrain foods, vegetables, fruit and pulses. Despite widespread familiarity with the 5 A DAY message, only 27% of adults eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and, on average, teenagers have particularly low intakes. The poor quality of many diets in Britain has been brought into sharp focus by publication of time trend data showing that micronutrient intakes have worsened over the past decade. However, going forward, dietary recommendations need to be considered in the context of delivering a global food supply that is both nutritious and also environmentally sustainable, and takes into account other factors such as equitable access, affordability and acceptability.