National Diet and Nutrition Survey: adults aged 19-64 years

Key facts

Why is the survey carried out?

The survey is part of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) programme which aims to provide a comprehensive cross-sectional picture of the dietary habits and the nutritional status of the population of Great Britain. The survey will give valuable information on adults aged 19 to 64 years and will provide a sound basis for future food policy as it affects this group, and for the development of nutrition education programmes. The survey will further examine the relationship between diet and health and also include information on physical activity and oral health in relation to dietary intake and nutritional status.

The NDNS of adults aged 19 to 64 years will be the first study carried out on this age group since 1986/87 and follows on from similar studies of children aged 1½ to 4½ years, of young people aged 4 to18 years, and of older adults aged over 65 years.

The mainstage of the NDNS of adults was commissioned following the success of the feasibility study carried out in autumn 1999. The survey is commissioned by the Departments of Health (in England, Wales and Scotland) and the Food Standards Agency. It is being carried out by the Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics in collaboration with the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge.

How is the survey done?

Fieldwork for the survey began in July 2000 and finished in June 2001. This fieldwork period of a year consists of four waves to take account of seasonal variation. The survey was conducted in 152 areas covering Scotland, England and Wales. The survey is based on a random sample of the population of Great Britain living in private households. The households taking part in the survey were sampled from the Post Office list of addresses in Great Britain. One adult aged between 19 and 64 years per household is selected at random and then invited to take part in the survey.

The survey initially comprises a face-to-face interview to collect information on general eating habits and health, and some basic information about the individual and their household. The adults involved are then asked to keep a record of everything they eat and drink, while they are at home and when they are out, over a seven-day period.

Adults are also invited to take part in the remaining survey components, and if one is refused, then co-operation with the other components is still sought:

• a seven-day record of physical activity;
• an eating behaviour questionnaire;
• blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist and hip);
• a 24-hour urine collection;
• a seven-day record of bowel movements;
• a blood sample taken by qualified phlebotomists;
• an oral health component with self-tooth and amalgam filling count.

Analysis of blood and urine samples has been carried out by Human Nutrition Research.

Where can the results be found?

Results from the survey will be published in five separate volumes.

The Technical Report comprising the methodology chapters and appendices is available on the Food Standards Agency website.

For more information about SSD or the surveys we carry out contact: SSD Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)1633 4556780 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk

This page last revised: Monday, 30 March 2009