AbstractIntroduction:An adequate and balanced intake of energy and nutrients is important for growth of children and prevention of diseases. The aim of this study was to get insight in the prevalence of low and high intakes of micronutrients and its association with overweight among Dutch children. This insight can contribute to the development of policy on healthy diet and specific nutritional information.Materials and methods:Food and supplement consumption data of children 1–18 years (n = 2.235) were collected in 2012–2016 with two independent 24-hr recalls. Body Mass Index (BMI) was based on measured body height and weight for 1–15 year-olds, and self-reported values for 16–18 year–olds. Using the Dutch food and supplement composition tables, the habitual nutrient and energy intake distribution were estimated and evaluated with the dietary reference values of the Dutch Health Council. Analyses were performed for the total group as well as for classes of BMI.Results:The intake of most micronutrients was sufficient for the children until the age of 13. No statement on this can be made for the intake of iron and vitamin D (girls). For the Dutch teenagers, low intakes of vitamin A (43%), iron (10% of the boys and 77% of the girls) and vitamin C (18%) were observed. For many other nutrients (calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B6, D, K1 and folate) the risk of low intakes among (subgroups of) teenagers were evaluated as ‘unknown’, as the median intakes were lower than the adequate intakes. In all age groups, the intakes of copper and vitamins B3 and B12 were sufficient.At the same time, the majority of the children (72% of the boys and 50% of the girls) had a high intake of sodium and a small number of children had high intakes of zinc (7%), copper (3%) or vitamin A (4% of the boys).17% of the children had overweight or obesity and for 9% the weight was evaluated as underweight. The prevalence of low intakes of vitamins A, D and iron was associated with BMI.Discussion:This study suggests that the food consumption of Dutch children can be improved with a more balanced intake of energy and nutrients to prevent obesity and low and high intakes. However, not for all nutrients the health impact is clear. So, more research on the nutrient requirements among children and the related health impact is necessary.

This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable objective and transparent tracking of processed food composition around the world. The information collected will support government and food industry efforts to improve the nutrient composition of processed foods around the world.

Overall dietary patterns have been associated with health and longevity. We used principal component (PC) and cluster analyses to identify the prevailing dietary patterns of 99 744 participants, aged 60 years or older, living in nine European countries and participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Elderly cohort) and to examine their socio-demographic and lifestyle correlates. Two PC were identified: PC1 reflects a 'vegetable-based' diet with an emphasis on foods of plant origin, rice, pasta and other grain rather than on margarine, potatoes and non-alcoholic beverages. PC2 indicates a 'sweet-and fat-dominated' diet with a preference for sweets, added fat and dairy products but not meat, alcohol, bread and eggs. PC1 was

Objective:To derive healthy and sustainable food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) for different target groups in the Netherlands and describe the process.Design:Optimised dietary patterns for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly were calculated using an optimisation model. Foods high in saturated and trans-fatty acids, salt and sugar, and low in dietary fibre, were excluded. The dietary patterns resembled the current food consumption as closely as possible, while simultaneously meeting recommendations for food groups, nutrients, maximum limits for foods with a high environmental impact, and within 85 % of the energy requirement. Recommended daily amounts of food groups were based on the optimised dietary patterns and expert judgement.Setting:The Netherlands.Participants:FBDG were derived for Dutch people with different ages, genders, activity levels and food preferences.Results:For most target groups the optimisation model provided dietary patterns that complied with all requirements. For some food groups, the optimised amounts varied largely between target groups. For consistent messages to consumers, the optimised dietary patterns were adjusted to uniform recommendations per target group. Recommendations were visualised in the Wheel of Five. The advice is to eat the recommended amounts of foods according to the Wheel of Five and limit consumption of other foods.Conclusions:Based on an optimisation model, scientific evidence, information on dietary patterns and expert knowledge, we derived FBDG for different target groups. The Wheel of Five is a key food-counselling model that can help Dutch consumers to make their diets healthier and more environmentally sustainable.

Objective: To study changes in lifestyle in relation to changes in body weight and waist circumference associated with occupational retirement in men. Design: A prospective cohort study with 5 years of follow-up. At baseline and at follow-up, questionnaires were completed and body weight and waist circumference were measured. Setting: The Doetinchem Cohort Study, consisting of inhabitants of Doetinchem, a town in a rural area of The Netherlands. Subjects: In total 288 healthy men aged 50 -65 years at baseline, who either remained employed or retired over follow-up. Results: The effect of retirement on changes in weight and waist circumference was dependent on type of former occupation. Increase in body weight and waist circumference was higher among men who retired from active jobs (0.42 kg year 21 and 0.77 cm year 21, respectively) than among men who retired from sedentary jobs (0.08 kg year 21 and 0.23 cm year 21 , respectively). Weight gain and increase in waist circumference were associated with a decrease in fruit consumption and fibre density of the diet, with an increase in frequency of eating breakfast, and with a decrease in several physical activities, such as household activities, bicycling, walking and doing odd jobs. Conclusion: Retirement was associated with an increase in weight and waist circumference among those with former active jobs, but not among those with former sedentary jobs. Retirement may bring opportunities for healthy changes in diet and physical activity, which could be used in health promotion programmes.