Polysaccharides [1]
Why do we study polysaccharide intake?
- Polysaccharides are a sub-category of carbohydrates [2], made up of more than nine monosaccharides linked together. Amylose, amylopectin (which together make up starch), cellulose and pectin are examples of polysaccharides. They are particularly important because they release their energy more slowly than monosaccharides and disaccharides, making them a good source of energy.
- The main sources of polysaccharides in our diet are cereal-based and starch-rich products.
- The Superior Health Council does not have specific advice on the exact proportion of the energy intake that should come from polysaccharides.
How do we study it?
- Habitual intake of polysaccharides was analysed using the SPADE® program. The detailed methodology can be found here [3].
- Habitual polysaccharide intake is expressed in percentage of total energy intake (En%). In this way, comparisons between groups of people with different energy requirements (e.g., between men and women, children and adults) can be done.
KEY RESULTS
24% of the energy intake comes from polysaccharides
The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake is higher in children and adolescents than in adults
The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake is higher in Flanders than in Wallonia
The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake slightly increased between 2014-2015 and 2022-2023
Cereals and cereal-based products, potatoes and other tubers, and cakes and sweet biscuits are the foods that contribute most to polysaccharide intake
By age and sex
Mean polysaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from polysaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily polysaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- In Belgium, 24% of the energy intake comes from polysaccharides, in the population aged 3 years and older.
- This contribution is similar for men and women, overall and in the different age groups.
- The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake is higher in children and adolescents (26 En%) than in adults aged 18-64 years (24 En%) and adults aged 65 and over (23 En%).
By educational level
Mean polysaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from polysaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily polysaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake is similar in the three education groups.
By region
Mean polysaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from polysaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily polysaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake is higher in Flanders (25 En%) than in Wallonia (23 En%).
By year
Mean polysaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from polysaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily polysaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The contribution of polysaccharides to energy intake in the population aged 3-64 years slightly increased between 2014-2015 (24 En%) and 2022-2023 (25 En%).
Contribution of foods to polysaccharide intake
Contribution of foods to polysaccharide intake, in the total population aged 3 years and older, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- The three food groups that contribute most to polysaccharide intake are cereals and cereal-based products (contributing 63% to the polysaccharide intake), potatoes and other tubers (contributing 13%), and cakes and sweet biscuits (contributing 10%).
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Macronutrients: Polysaccharides, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/carbohydrates-and-dietary-fibre/polysaccharides [1]