Food consumption of adults in Germany: results of the German National Nutrition Survey II based on diet history interviews

Abstract

The second German National Nutrition Survey (NVS II) aimed to evaluate food consumption and other aspects of nutritional behaviour of a representative sample of the German population, using a modular design with three different dietary assessment methods. To assess usual food consumption, 15 371 German speaking subjects 14–80 years of age completed a diet history interview between November 2005 and November 2006. With reference to the guidelines of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), NVS II observed that the German population did not eat enough foods of plant origin, especially vegetables and consumed too much of meat and meat products. While generally similar food consumption is observed in other European countries, consumption of bread, fruit juices/nectars and beer is higher in Germany. On average, men consumed two times more meat and soft drinks as well as six times more beer than women did, whereas the consumption of vegetables, fruit as well as herbal/fruit tea was higher in women. Older participants showed a lower consumption of meat, fruit juice/nectars, soft drinks and spirits as well as a higher consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, and herbal/fruit tea than adolescents and younger adults did. There are also differences in food consumption with regard to socio-economic status (SES). Persons with higher SES consumed more vegetables, fruit, fish, water, coffee/tea and wine, while persons with lower SES consumed more meat and meat products, soft drinks and beer. In general, the food consumption of women, the elderly and the higher SES group tends to be closer to the official dietary guidelines in Germany.

Comparison of food consumption and nutrient intake assessed with three dietary assessment methods: results of the German National Nutrition Survey II

“…The response rate was 42%. The study design is described in detail elsewhere [11]. Within the NVS II, food consumption was assessed using three dietary assessment methods: diet history interviews (n = 15.371), 24-h recalls (n = 13.926), and weighed food records (n = 975).…”

“…To increase data quality, a plausibility check to identify and correct for input errors was conducted. Several times during the survey quality assurance checks were made by external supervisors [11].…”

Female Dietary Patterns and the Pathogenesis of NAFLD

“…40 The German National Nutrition Survey II comprising 15 371 participants between the ages of 14 and 80 years reports a higher consumption of meat and meat products among men of all age groups as well as a higher intake of sweets, ice cream, sweeteners, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages among men. 41 Women between the ages of 14 and 50 years reported a lower intake of milk, dairy products, and cheese. 41 Summarizing the abovementioned trials and nutrition surveys, it may be concluded that women of all age groups tend to opt for more healthy food.…”

“…41 Women between the ages of 14 and 50 years reported a lower intake of milk, dairy products, and cheese. 41 Summarizing the abovementioned trials and nutrition surveys, it may be concluded that women of all age groups tend to opt for more healthy food. Gender differences in eating behavior emerge during adolescence: girls aged 12 to 17 years give more attention to food choices than boys of the same age (62.5% vs 55.9%).…”

Egg Consumption among Young People: A Study through the Application of the Logistic Regression Model

“…When calculating the weekly portions of eggs, the part of the egg which is used in food preparations (homemade egg pasta, sweets, biscuits, etc.) must be considered as well (Heuer et al, 2015;Memon et al, 2009;Maga, 1982).…”