National food study: too much alcohol, too little fruit and veg
Belgians don't eat enough fruit and vegetables and drink excessive alcohol, according to the national Food Consumption Survey conducted by health institute Sciensano.
The study shows that consumption of vegetables, fruit, water, nuts, legumes, dairy products and fish, all linked to positive health effects, is still far below the recommendations of the Superior Health Council.
Of the adult population, only 7 per cent eat enough vegetables and one in 10 meets the guideline for fruit.
At the same time, intake of products that should be consumed in moderation, such as red meat, alcohol and sugared drinks, remains too high. Nine in 10 adults exceed the recommended limit for processed meat.
More than eight in 10 people drink alcohol, though consumption has fallen from 193 ml/day to 144 ml/day since the study was conducted in 2014-15. The percentage of the population drinking alcohol also dropped slightly in that period.
The survey also points to notable differences within the population. Women, people with higher levels of education and residents of Flanders tend to eat and drink more in line with dietary recommendations. People in Wallonia drink more water.
"Creating an environment where healthy eating is the simplest choice should be at the heart of public health policy"
“Unfortunately, the number of positive evolutions remains limited,” says Isabelle Moyersoen, researcher at Sciensano. “Creating an environment where healthy eating is the simplest choice should be at the heart of public health policy.”
The institute wants to see measures such as making healthy products more affordable, better labelling, stricter rules on food advertising and expansion of healthy eating programmes in schools.
The National Food Consumption Survey is a cross-sectional study that aims to collect detailed information on consumption and nutrient intake among the general population. It also looks at physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Illustration © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS LAMBERT
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