Diet and nutritional status of 4–18‐year‐olds: public health implications

Summary The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4–18 years , published in June 2000, is the most detailed survey yet to be undertaken in this age group in Britain. It has revealed that Britain's young people are largely inactive and, although the majority appears to have adequate intakes of most vitamins, intakes tended to be lowest in families on benefit. This was particularly the case for folate and vitamin C, reflecting lower intakes of fruit and vegetables. Thirteen per cent of 11–18‐year‐olds had low vitamin D status, the vitamin usually provided via exposure to sunlight and essential for the development of healthy bones. A sizeable proportion of children may have inadequate intakes of a number of minerals, including zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. For example, 25% of 11–14‐year‐old girls and 19% of those aged 15–18 years had intakes of calcium that were likely to be inadequate (i.e. lower than the LRNI); in all age and gender groups there was evidence of low zinc intakes; and 14% of girls and 13% of boys had low ferritin levels, suggesting low iron stores and an increased risk of anaemia. On the positive side, fat intakes were close to the population goal of 35% of dietary energy, but intakes of saturated fatty acids exceeded the recommended population level for adults of 11% of energy, and intakes of sugars and salt were also high in many children. This article discusses some of the public health implications of this major survey.