Last updated on 10-7-2025 by Thérésa Lebacq
Why do we study dietary fibre intake?
- Dietary fibre is a form of carbohydrate. It is characterised by its resistance to the digestive enzymes secreted in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the intestinal bacteria present in the colon can still break down some of these fibres, which can then be partially absorbed by our body. Dietary fibre provides a long-lasting feeling of satiety, which can help to reduce caloric intake and maintain a healthy weight. In addition, consuming dietary fibre has a positive effect on gut motility and prevention of constipation, and is essential for maintaining good intestinal function. Dietary fibre intake has been associated with improvements in overall metabolic status (e.g. reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, improved lipid profile), with the development of healthy and diverse gut microflora, and with reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
- There are two main types of dietary fibre: soluble and insoluble. Each is associated with different health benefits (e.g. lowering cholesterol for soluble fibre and preventing constipation for insoluble fibre). The main sources of soluble fibre are fruits and vegetables, while cereals and whole-grain products are sources of insoluble fibre. Most fibre-rich foods usually contain varying amounts of both soluble and insoluble fibre.
- The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) recommends a daily adequate intake of 25 g of dietary fibre for normal bowel function in adults. For children and adolescents aged 3-17 years, the reference daily intake levels range from 10 g/day to 21 g/day depending on age.
How do we study it?
- Habitual intake of dietary fibre was analysed using the SPADE® program. The detailed methodology can be found here.
- To determine whether the population is getting enough dietary fibre, the distribution of dietary fibre intake in the population was compared with the EFSA reference values (as adequate intake).
KEY RESULTS
The mean dietary fibre intake is 16 g/day in Belgium
Men have a higher mean dietary fibre intake than women
The mean dietary fibre intake increases with age and with educational level
The mean dietary fibre intake remained unchanged between 2014-2015 and 2022-2023
The three food groups that contribute most to dietary fibre intake are cereals and cereal products, vegetables, and fruits
By age and sex
Mean dietary fibre intake (g/day) 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.
- 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, the mean dietary fibre intake is 16 g/day in the population aged 3 years and older.
- Men have a higher mean dietary fibre intake (17 g/day) than women (15 g/day). This difference between sexes is particularly pronounced in adults aged 18-64 years and adults aged 65 years and older.
- The mean dietary fibre intake increases with age, from 14 g/day in children to 15 g/day in adolescents and 17 g/day in adults aged 18-64 years and 65 years and older.
Comparison of the dietary fibre intake of the population aged 3 years and older with the reference values, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- In Belgium, only children aged 3 year have an adequate dietary fibre intake compared to the reference value for this age (i.e. 10 g/day). For other age groups, the results do not allow us to confirm that the dietary fibre intake is adequate.
By educational level
Mean dietary fibre intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- 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 mean dietary fibre intake gradually increases with the educational level: from 15 g/day in people with a low educational level to 16 g/day in person with a medium educational level and to 18 g/day in people with a high educational level.
Comparison of the dietary fibre intake of the population aged 3 years and older with the reference values, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- The results do not allow us to determine whether the dietary fibre intake in the different education groups is adequate.
By region
Mean dietary fibre intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The mean dietary fibre intake is higher in Flanders (17 g/day) than in Wallonia (14 g/day).
Comparison of the dietary fibre intake of the population aged 3 years and older with the reference values, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- The results do not allow us to determine whether the dietary fibre intake in Flanders and Wallonia is adequate.
By year
Mean dietary fibre intake (g/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The mean dietary fibre intake in the population aged 3-64 years has remained unchanged between 2014-2015 and 2022-2023.
Contribution of foods to dietary fibre intake
Contribution of foods to dietary fibre intake, in the total population aged 3 years and older, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Cereal and cereal products are the foods that contribute most to dietary fibre intake, accounting for 35% of dietary fibre intake.
- They are followed by vegetables (contributing 19%), and fruits (contributing 13%).
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Macronutrients: Dietary fibre, 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/dietary-fibre