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Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

Answer

There are no current plans to request advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition on how malnutrition in the general population can be tackled.

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) collects information on diet and nutrient intakes and nutritional status but does not assess the prevalence of malnutrition in the population. Malnutrition is a complex, multifactorial condition which develops over a period of time, and for which there is no single agreed medical definition. NDNS assesses an individual’s diet and nutritional status at a single point in time and cannot assess other factors associated with malnutrition such as weight loss, or malabsorption of nutrients due to disease. It is therefore not possible to classify individuals as malnourished solely from the data collected in NDNS.

Data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey collected between 2008 and 2016 shows that nutrient intakes have changed relatively little over this period with the exception of free sugars and salt.

Mean intakes of free sugars for adults (19-64 years) and children (4-10 and 11-18 years) were significantly lower in 2014/16 than in 2008/10 though remained more than double the recommended maximum in all age groups. Mean salt intake in adults, assessed through urinary sodium surveys, was 11% lower in 2014 than in 2006 but also remained above the recommended maximum. Mean intakes of fibre in children were significantly lower in 2014/16 than in 2008/10 and were below the recommendation. There were no consistent trends in intakes of total or saturated fat, total carbohydrate, or for vitamins or minerals.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

158196

Session

2017-19

Related items

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition
Monday, 4 June 2018
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Nutrition Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk