The National Consumption Study II (2008) investigated how people in Germany eat and the effects of their dietary behavior. Representative data on current and usual food consumption are thus shown for Germany, and the nutritional status of the population is mapped. The Max Rubner Federal Research Institute MRI (formerly: Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food) conducted the NVS II on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Between November 2005 and January 2007, nearly 20,000 German-speaking individuals between the ages of 14 and 80 living in private households were surveyed nationwide about their food consumption. Among other things, data were collected on nutritional knowledge, shopping behavior and cooking skills. The type and quantity of food consumed by respondents were also taken into account. This also provides information on the consumption of, for example, fortified foods, organic foods or special sports products. Furthermore, the height and weight of the respondents as well as their physical activity and other lifestyle factors were included.
Survey Methods
Different survey instruments were used to optimally assess nutritional status and dietary behavior. A computerized diet history (DISHES 2005), which was further developed for NVS II, was used to record usual diet, meal patterns, and habits. DISHES 2005 is used during the initial contact with the participants, the personal interview (CAPI: computer assisted personal interview). Participants were also given a questionnaire concerning their activity behavior and other health-related parameters. Subsequently, on two randomly selected days, telephone interviews (CATI: computer assisted telephone interview) were used to ask about current consumption over the past 24 hours (24-h recall). In each case, the EPICSoft program was used. Data were collected nationwide in four survey waves immediately following one another, in order to take both seasonal and regional aspects into account in each case.
Federal Food Key
For nutritional epidemiological studies and consumption surveys, it is essential that all information collected on foods or meals consumed be traced to their nutrients (e.g., fats, vitamins). Only then are statements about the respondents’ nutrient intake possible. Because of the abundance of data, these nutrient tables are managed in databases. The database valid for the Federal Republic is the Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS).
Selected results of the NVS II
The alarming result of the NVS II:
- More than half of adults are overweight, with 66 percent of men and 51 percent of women overweight. One in five is obese and thus at risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. The proportion of overweight young adults has increased significantly in the last ten years. Among women over 30, the proportion of overweight people fell by up to eight percent in the same period, depending on the age group.
Food consumption results:
- Men eat more meat and drink more beer than women. Fish comes rather rarely on the table and water is the number one thirst quencher.
- Nearly 60% of Germans eat too little fruit, namely less than 250 g / day. Women eat with 270 g / day on average more fruit than men (222 g / day). Nevertheless, 54% of women do not reach the DGE recommendation.
- Men consume twice as much meat, sausages and meat products as women. Daily they eat 103 g of meat, sausages or meat products. For women, only 53 g end up on the plate every day. For men, the consumption of meat, sausages and meat products decreases from the age group of 19 to 24 years.
- Germans hardly eat fish compared to meat consumption. On average, men eat 29 g / day and women 23 g / day.
Results of the supply of vitamins:
- Significantly below the recommended levels is the intake of vitamin D and folic acid. 79% of men and 86% of women surveyed fall below the recommendation for folic acid intake.
- Also, the daily intake of vitamin C remains below the reference value in a third of all men and women. The worst supplied lack circa 50-60 mg of vitamin C.
- In the age group from 19-80 LJ.only about 50 % of women and men reach the recommended intake for vitamin E. The worst supplied men lack circa 7.5 mg vitamin E, the women lack correspondingly circa 4 mg.
Milk and dairy products provide on average slightly more than 40% of the daily calcium requirement of 1000 mg for adults. Only about 5% of participants cover their complete calcium needs already by eating milk and dairy products. As far as iron supply is concerned, in the age group of 19-50 years only 25% of the women reach the amount of the intake recommendation, with the poorest supplied lacking about 8 mg of iron. In women over 51 years of age, only 63-75% are adequately supplied, which is why the worst supplied lack circa 3-4 mg of iron.
Dietary supplement intake
Almost one third (28%) of the respondents took dietary supplements. In terms of vitamins, the main supplements were vitamins C, B, E, and folic acid. Among minerals, calcium and magnesium supplements were prominent.
