Netherlands NFCS Older Adults National Food Food Consumption Database – Intake and Exposure Datasets

The Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2010-2012, Older adults was a large survey conducted by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment to measure the food consumption patterns and dietary behaviour of the community-dwelling elderly population in the age of 70 years and older in the Netherlands. The survey was conducted from October 2010 to February 2012. Special focus was given in the survey to the intake of vegetables, fruits, fish and fluids; and the percentage of the aged population that comply with the recommended amounts of energy,  vitamin B2, B6, B12, C and D, folic acid, folate and calcium.

The DNFCS 2010-2012 survey population consisted of community-dwelling men and women in the Netherlands, aged 70 and over, irrespective of their nationalities. This study population represents approximately 10% of the total Dutch population. Institutionalised individuals, people without sufficient command of the Dutch language, terminally ill people and those in need of a high level of care, and those deemed unable to complete the survey were excluded from participation. The population represented a community-dwelling fraction of the Dutch population.

General background information and food consumption data were gathered from a total of 720 individuals: 360 men and 360 women. The survey population was scattered over 15 different municipalities in the Netherlands and was distributed to geographic regions and address densities. The population registry from each municipality was used to draw the survey population. 

The DNFCS older adult survey participants were provided with written information on the survey, and upon their consent, further appointments were made with a project co-operator. The data collection and related fieldwork were conducted by trained dieticians. For the survey, participating individuals were requested to fill up a food diary on two different agreed days. The diary, in its completion, was used as a memory aid during the 24-hour recall; and participants were asked to not change their dietary patterns during the study if possible. Telephone contact was made with the participants to assist them in filling up the food diary and to confirm for the 24-hour recall. Two home visits were made by the trained survey conductors and a general questionnaire was used to collect the information. During the first home visit, information was collected on food and lifestyle habits, general health and cognitive ability, the food diary was checked and food and cooking equipment were recorded. In the second home visit, data on height, weight, upper arm and waist circumferences were gathered. The gathered data was then recorded with computer-controlled software (EPIC-Soft®, IARC).