May 2014

Latest results on sugars intakes from Years 1-4 of the Government’s National Diet & Nutrition Survey

The release of the report today from Years 1-4 of the Government’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey’s rolling programme provides updated information on UK dietary intakes. The latest data shows average intakes of Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars (NMES)* to be 58.8g/day for adults, which accounts for 12.1% of food energy intake. The current UK recommendation is for NMES intakes below 11% of food energy, a value established in regards to dental health.

The current report explores the changes in diets over the first 4 years of the rolling programme. This shows that adults’ intakes of NMES in 2010-2012 were lower than those measured between 2008-2010. Intakes in 2010-2012 were recorded as being 57g/day (providing 12.0% of food energy), compared to 2008-2010 intakes of 60.5g/day (12.3% food energy). The largest contributors to adult’s NMES intakes between 2008 and 2012 were sugars, preserves & confectionery (26%), non-alcoholic beverages (25%), cereal & cereal products (21%) and alcohol (10%). In the context of the whole diet, these provide 5%, 4%, 31% and 6% of total energy intake respectively.

The National Diet & Nutrition Survey (NDNS) was set up by the Government to provide nationally representative data on the nutritional intake and status of the UK population. The rolling programme was introduced in 2007, whereby 1,000-1,500 individuals over the age of 18 months are recruited from across the UK to take part via random postcode selection on an annual basis. Prior to 2007, surveys were conducted on an ad hoc basis.

Data on NMES intakes have only been collected since 1992, with only information on total sugars being available prior to this in the original survey – the Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults (1986-87). Comparison of the latest intake values from 2008/12 with those from the 2000/1 survey of 18-64 year olds, shows that over the last decade NMES and total sugars intakes have declined by approximately 7%. Today’s report states that “mean intake of NMES was lower in the rolling programme than in previous surveys, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of food energy for all age groups, particularly for younger children aged 1.5 to three years and four to ten years where the proportion of food energy from NMES decreased from 18.7% to 11.9% and 17.1% to 14.7% respectively”.

The data from the NDNS is particularly useful to nutrition and health professionals, as it provides a measure of what individuals actually consume rather than market availability or household purchase data. Participants undertake an interview, a four-day dietary diary and give blood and urine samples. The data collected is analysed and provides information on not just intakes, but also on dietary behaviours and nutritional status. The data is also used for comparison with UK dietary recommendations on healthy, balanced diets and nutrient intakes.

The current NDNS rolling programme of surveys is jointly funded by Public Health England and the UK Food Standards Agency, and is conducted by a collaborative research team from University College London, NatCen Social Research and MRC Human Nutrition Research.

Data from Previous and Current National Surveys

Additional Information:

National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Results from Years 1-4 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009 – 2011/12) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310995/NDNS_Y1_to_4_UK_report.pdf

Definitions:

* NMES – sugars that are not present within the cellular structure of a food. This includes sugars added to a recipe, fruit juices, table sugars, honey and syurps. This term also refers to half of the sugars in cooked and dried fruits.

** Intrinsic and Milk Sugars – sugars that are either naturally incorporated into the cellular structure of foods or naturally present in milk and milk products.

*** Total Sugars – this refers to all sugars, whether they are intrinsic or extrinsic (incl. milk sugars)

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Sugar Nutrition UK is an evidence-based association principally funded by UK sugar manufacturers and is involved in promoting nutrition research and raising awareness among academics, health professionals, the media and the public about sugars and their role in health.