The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4–18 years

Abstract

SummaryThis review describes and present the findings of a survey of the diet and nutrition of young people aged 4–18 years living in private households in the UK, carried out between January 1997 and January 1998. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of young people aged 4–18 years forms part of the NDNS programme, which aims to provide a comprehensive, cross‐sectional picture of the dietary habits, nutrient intakes and nutritional status of the British population by studying representative samples of defined age groups. The survey components included a detailed interview covering dietary habits, lifestyle and socio‐demographic characteristics; a 7‐day weighed dietary record; a 7‐day physical activity diary; measurements of height, weight, mid‐upper arm, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure; a blood sample for analysis of a range of nutritional status indices; a single urine sample; and an oral health interview and dental examination. A total of 1701 young people provided 7‐day dietary records, representing a response rate of 64%. Results have been published in two volumes covering the diet and nutrition survey and the oral health survey. The reports present results for boys and girls separately in four age groups: 4–6 years; 7–10 years; 11–14 years and 15–18 years. Results are also presented by region and by socio‐economic characteristics. This review summarises some of the main findings of the diet and nutrition survey, including: the proportion of young people who ate selected foods; energy and nutrient intakes compared with UK Dietary Reference Values; nutritional status; physical measurements; and physical activity.