Life style; personal characteristics

Table explanation

Description topics

Alcohol consumption, 12 years or older

The questions on consuming alcohol are asked to all persons aged 12 years or older.

Up to 1 glass per day in the population

Percentage of persons in the population aged 12 years or older who do not drink or at most 1 glass per day.

Guideline alcohol use, 12 plus

The percentage of persons in the population aged 12 years or older that meet the guideline on alcohol use. Since 2014, the guideline for persons aged 12 to 18 years is: do not drink until you are 18 years old. Since 2015, the guideline for adults is: do not drink or at most 1 glass per day. This guideline originates from the Guidelines for Good Nutrition (in Dutch: Richtlijnen Goede Voeding) of the Dutch Health Council.

Nutrition, 4 years or older, 2014-2022

In the years 2014 to 2022, the questions about nutrition were asked to all people aged 4 years or older. The questions were about the consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish. As of 20232, the questions about nutrition have been adjusted and expanded. The old indicators are therefore no longer supplemented. Due to the change in questions, the figures on fish, vegetable and fruit consumption for the years before 2023 cannot be compared with the figures from 2023 onwards.

Consumption of fruit

Persons are being asked to indicate their consumption of fruit in a regular week during the last months.

Sufficient fruit during 7 days a week

The percentage of persons who eat at least 2 pieces of fruit (from 9 years of age) or one and a half piece of fruit (children up to and including 8 years of age) every day. One piece of fruit corresponds to 100 grams. This recommendation corresponds with the ‘Wheel of Five’ of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This standard originates from the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (November 2015) of the Dutch Health Council.

At least 5 days a week sufficient fruit

The percentage of persons who, on at least 5 days of the week, eat at least 2 pieces of fruit (from 9 years of age) or one and a half piece of fruit (children up to and including 8 years of age). One piece of fruit corresponds to 100 grams.

Consumption of vegetables

Persons are being asked for the consumption of vegetables in a regular week during the last months.

Sufficient vegetables during 7 days/week

Percentage of persons who eat at least 5 serving spoons of vegetables each day. This guideline applies to persons aged 14 years and over. For children aged 4 to 8 years, at least 2 serving spoons of vegetables per day are required and for children aged 9 to 13 years, at least 3 serving spoons of vegetables per day are required. One serving spoon of vegetables corresponds to 50 grams. The number of spoons corresponds to the recommended number of vegetables a day from the ‘Wheel of Five’ of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This standard originates from the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (November 2015) of the Dutch Health Council. The figures for 2014 and 2015 are based on the former dietary guidelines (in Dutch: Richtlijnen Voedselkeuze 2011) . The former guideline was different from the new guideline for people aged 14 and over: at least 4 serving spoons for people aged 14 to 70 years and at least 3 serving spoons for people over 71 years of age. The figures for the years from 2016 onwards are based on the new guideline. Due to the change in the guideline, the figures of the consumption of vegetables from 2016 onwards cannot be compared with those of 2014 and 2015 for people aged 14 years or over.

At least 5 days/wk sufficient vegetables

Percentage of persons who eat at least 5 serving spoons of vegetables at least 5 days per week. This guideline applies to persons aged 14 years and over. For children aged 4 to 8 years, at least 2 serving spoons of vegetables per day are required for at least 5 days per week and for children aged 9 to 13 years, at least 3 serving spoons of vegetables per day are required for at least 5 days per week. One serving spoon of vegetables corresponds to 50 grams. The number of spoons corresponds to the recommended number of vegetables a day from the ‘Wheel of Five’ of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This standard originates from the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (November 2015) of the Dutch Health Council. The figures for 2014 and 2015 are based on the former dietary guidelines. The former guideline was different from the new guideline for people aged 14 and over: at least 4 serving spoons for people aged 14 to 70 years and at least 3 serving spoons for people over 71 years of age. The figures for the years from 2016 onwards are based on the new guideline. Due to the change in the guideline, the figures of the consumption of vegetables from 2016 onwards cannot be compared with those of 2014 and 2015 for people aged 14 years or over.

Consumption of fish

Persons were being asked about the consumption of fish in a regular week during the last months.

At least one day a week

The percentage of persons who eat fish at least one day a week. This recommendation corresponds with the ‘Wheel of Five’ of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This standard originates from the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (November 2015) of the Dutch Health Council.

Min. 2 days/week, of which 1 x oily fish

The percentage of persons who eat fish at least twice a week, one of which is oily fish, such as salmon, herring and mackerel.

Nutrition, 1 year or older, from 2023

The questions about nutrition are asked to all people aged 1 year or older and cover the consumption of meat and fish, fruit, vegetables, sugary drinks, bread and snacks. The nutritional questions are thoroughly revised in 2023. Therefore the figures on fish, fruit and vegetable consumption for the years before 2023 cannot be compared to those from 2023 onwards.

Consumption of fish

People were asked about the consumption of fish in a normal week in the previous months. Detailed information on fish consumption is obtained through the Food Consumption Survey (see table explanation).

One day a week

Eats fish 1 day a week. This is advised by the Dutch Nutrition Center. These guidelines are based on the Health Council's Guidelines for a Healthy Diet. The figures on fish consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

At least 2 days a week

Eats fish at least 2 days a week. The figures on fish consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

Consumption of fruit

People were asked about the consumption of fruit in a normal week in the previous months. The key figures for fruit consumption come from the Food Consumption Survey (see table explanation).

Meets the fruit guideline

Eats at least 2 portions of fruit every day (from 9 years old) or one and a half portions of fruit (children up to 8 years old). One portion of fruit corresponds to 100 grams. These amounts are advised by the Dutch Nutrition Center. These guidelines are based on the Health Council's Guidelines for a Healthy Diet. The figures on fruit consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

At least 5 days a week sufficient fruit

Eats at least 2 portions of fruit per day (from 9 years old) or one and a half portions of fruit (children up to 8 years old) at least 5 days a week. One portion of fruit corresponds to 100 grams. The figures on fruit consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

Consumption of vegetables

People were asked about the consumption of vegetables in a normal week in the previous months. The key figures for vegetable consumption come from the Food Consumption Survey (see table explanation).

Sufficient vegetables 7 days per week

Eats at least 250 grams of vegetables every day (from 14 years). Children aged 1 to 3 years should eat at least 50 grams of vegetables every day. Children aged 4 to 8 years should eat at least 100 grams of vegetables every day. Young people aged 9 to 13 should eat at least 150 grams of vegetables every day. These amounts correspond to the recommended amount of vegetables per day from the Dutch Nutrition Center. These guidelines are based on the Health Council Guidelines for a Healthy Diet (November 2015). The figures on vegetable consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

At least 5 days/wk sufficient vegetables

Eats at least 250 grams of vegetables at least 5 days a week (from 14 years). Children aged 1 to 3 years should eat at least 50 grams of vegetables on at least 5 days a week. Children aged 4 to 8 years should eat at least 100 grams of vegetables on at least 5 days a week. Young people aged 9 to 13 should eat at least 150 grams of vegetables on at least 5 days a week. These amounts correspond to the recommended amount of vegetables per day from the Dutch Nutrition Center. These guidelines are based on the Health Council Guidelines for a Healthy Diet (November 2015). The figures on vegetable consumption from 2023 cannot be compared to the figures for the years before 2023 due to a change in the question.

Consumption of sugary drinks

People were asked about the consumption of sugary drinks in a normal week in the previous months. Detailed information about sugar consumption is obtained via the Food Consumption Survey (see table explanation).

Sugary drinks: at least 4 glasses/day

Drinks at least 4 glasses of sugary drinks per day, such as soft drinks, orange juice, energy drinks, orange juice, yoghurt drinks with added sugars.

Sugary drinks: 1 to 3 glasses per day

Drinks 1 to a maximum of 3 glasses of sugary drinks daily, such as soft drinks, orange juice, energy drinks, fruit juice, yoghurt drinks with added sugars. For children under 4 years of age, 0.5 to 3 glasses max.

Sugary drinks: never or not weekly

Drinks never or not every week sugary drinks such as soft drinks, orange juice, energy drinks, fruit juice, yoghurt drinks with added sugars.

Sugary drinks: glasses per week

Average number of glasses of sugary drinks consumed per week, such as soft drinks, orange juice, energy drinks, fruit juice, drinking yoghurt with added sugars .