Nutrient Intake Patterns in Dietary Surveys
Summary
Dietary surveys worldwide employ a range of methodologies—including 24 h dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires and household budget records—to elucidate patterns of nutrient consumption and their associations with health outcomes. Analyses typically examine contributions of specific foods and food groups to macronutrients such as energy, protein, fats and carbohydrates, as well as to under-consumed micronutrients including dietary fibre, calcium, folate and iron. Recent surveys reveal persistent imbalances: many populations obtain excessive sodium and saturated fat from processed and convenience foods, while intakes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains often fall below recommended levels. Variations by age, sex and socio-economic status underscore the need for targeted interventions. Data disaggregation highlights the role of mixed dishes in both nutrient delivery and nutrient dilution, informing reformulation efforts in the food industry. The global reach of these surveys facilitates cross-national comparisons, supporting the development of harmonised dietary guidelines and public-health policies to address nutrient shortfalls and excesses through education, fortification and food-based strategies.
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Nutrient Intake Patterns in Dietary Surveys publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nutrient intake patterns in dietary surveys across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
24 h dietary recall: Method for assessing an individual’s food and beverage intake over the preceding 24 hours, typically conducted by trained interviewers.
Shortfall nutrients: Nutrients identified as under-consumed relative to established dietary reference values, posing potential public-health concerns.
Food group disaggregation: Analytical approach that separates mixed dishes into constituent ingredients to more precisely attribute nutrient sources.
References
- Energy and Macronutrient Dietary Intakes of Serbian Adults 18–64 Years Old: EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey in Serbia (2017–2022). Foods (2025).
- Initiatives to Reduce the Content of Sodium in Food Products and Meals and Improve the Population’s Health. Nutrients (2023).
- Contribution of Food Groups to Energy and Nutrient Intakes in Five Developed Countries. Nutrients (2015).
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