Findings from the National Children’s Food Survey II (NCFS) 2017-18
The report details food and nutrient intakes, body weight, physical activity and eating behaviours in children aged 5-12 years in Ireland.
Findings from the National Children’s Food Survey II (NCFS) were presented today in a workshop hosted by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA). The report details food and nutrient intakes, body weight, physical activity and eating behaviours in children aged 5-12 years in Ireland.
Main findings include:
- Average daily dietary fibre intake (14g) was higher than in the NCFS (2003-04), the key contributors to dietary fibre intake were breads, breakfast cereals, fruits, cereal grains and vegetables.
- Intake of free sugars was lower than in the NCFS (2003-04), mainly due to a switch in beverage consumption from sugar-sweetened drinks to water.
- The prevalence of overweight and obesity was lower than in the NCFS (2003-04), the majority (78%) of children were within the normal weight range.
- Intakes of fruit and vegetables are higher than in the NCFS (2003-04), about 3 servings per day, well below the recommended 5-7-a-day.
- Essentially all children eat meat; however, more is consumed as processed meat than fresh meat. Chicken was the most popular type of fresh meat consumed, followed by beef.
- Average consumption of milk is about one glass per day, mainly as whole milk rather than reduced fat milk.
- A total of 69% of children achieved the recommended “at least 60 minutes” of physical activity per day.
Joana Caldeira Fernandes da Silva
