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Survey of diet among children in Scotland

Project Code: FS424019;
Publication:

1. Wendy J.Wills,Jennie I.Macdiarmid,Lindsey F.Masson,Catherine Bromley, Leone Craig, and Geraldine McNeill, Children’s Food and Drink Purchasing Behaviour: ‘‘Beyond the School Gate’’: The Development of a Survey Module
   ISRN Nutrition, http://dx.doi.org/10.5402/2013/501450
    

05/10/2012

University of Aberdeen
Masson, L

This survey was commissioned to follow up on previous Agency-funded work to monitor progress towards the Scottish Dietary Target for sugar intake in children. The new survey also measured saturated and total fat intakes among children living in Scotland and explored influences on children’s food purchasing behaviours.

The results of the survey show that dietary intakes of non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) are still higher than the Scottish Dietary Goal (less than 11% of food energy), although they have decreased to 15.6% compared to 17.4% in 2006. Non-diet soft drinks, confectionary, biscuits, cakes and pastries, yoghurt and fromage frais and fruit juice were the major contributors to NMES intake. Children living in more deprived areas had higher intakes of NMES.

Dietary intakes of total fat were below the Scottish Dietary Goal, although mean saturated fat intakes were 13.2% of food energy, which is above the recommended level of 11% in all age and sex groups. Levels of fat and saturated fat were similar to those found in the 2006 survey (32.9% and 13.8% respectively). The main contributors to saturated fat intake were milk, cream, biscuits, cakes and pastries. There was no difference in fat or saturated fat intakes by socio-economic status.

In total, 29% of children were classed as overweight or obese; similar to levels reported in the 2010 Scottish Health Survey. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with deprivation, from 25% in the least deprived to 38% in the most deprived.
The research showed that 16% of primary and 42% of secondary school children reported they sometimes bought food or drinks on the way to or from school. About 63% of all secondary school children bought food or drinks outside of school at lunchtime; the most commonly purchased items were confectionary, sugar-sweetened drinks, crisps and water.

This study indicates the intake of NMES and saturated fats in children living in Scotland are still higher than recommended levels.

The catalogue record created for this data collection can be viewed at the following URL:

http://www.esds.ac.uk/findingData/snDescription.asp?sn=7200

•  Final report Part 1
•  Part 1 Appendix A
•  Part 1 Appendix B
•  Part 1 Appendix C
•  Part 1 Appendix D
•  Part 1 Appendix E
•  Part 1 Appendix F
•  Part 1 Appendix G
•  Part 1 Appendix H
•  Part 1 Appendix I
•  Part 1 Appendix J
•  Part 1 Appendix K
•  Part 1 Appendix L
•  Final report Part 2
•  Part 2 Appendix A
•  Part 2 Appendix B
•  Part 2 Appendix C

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