Last updated on 8-8-2025 by Elise Grimm
Why do we study the consumption of fats and oils according to guidelines?
- A balanced diet plays an important role in maintaining and promoting health. The Superior Health Council provides food-based dietary guidelines tailored to the Belgian population, aiming to reduce illness, premature death, and the overall disease burden caused in part by unhealthy eating habits.
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Fats and oils are sources of various fatty acids, vitamins A, D and E, and bioactive components such as polyphenols and other antioxidants. However, the nutritional composition of these foods varies widely, and this, together with differences in preparation methods, may explain differences in health effects. Overall, consuming fats and oils rich in saturated and trans fatty acids increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, while replacing them with plant-based fats rich in unsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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The Superior Health Council therefore recommends to limit the consumption of butter, lard and tropical oils (such as coconut and palm oil) and to give preference to vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as margarines made from these oils.
How do we study the consumption of fats and oils?
- Trained interviewers conducted two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls to record all the foods and drinks participants had consumed on the previous day. These recalls were carried out in a standardised manner using a specialised computer program (GloboDiet®).
- The intake of fats and oils was assessed as habitual intake (also known as usual or long-term intake), representing the average daily intake over the long term. This method accounts for natural day-to-day variations in what and how much people eat, offering a more accurate picture of typical dietary habits over time. This is particularly important when evaluating whether a population meets dietary recommendations. All intakes mentioned in the results below refer to the mean habitual intake, unless stated otherwise.
- The statistical tool Statistical Program to Assess habitual Dietary Exposure (SPADE) was used to estimate habitual intake distributions based on the short-term data collected through the 24-hour dietary recalls.
- On this page, we present the habitual intake of recommended and not recommended (see the definition below) fats and oils in the population based on statistical modelling, as well as the mean ratio between the amount of recommended fats and oils consumed and the total amount of fats and oils consumed (expressed as a percentage). This ratio was calculated, without modelling, for each recall day and then averaged over both recall days for each participant who consumed fats and oils. The mean was then calculated and presented for the total population and by subgroups (sex and age, education, region, year).
- The detailed methodology can be found here.
What did we include as “as recommended, not recommended and total fats and oils”?
- Based on the recommendation of the Superior Health Council:
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils;
- Not recommended fats and oils include butter, hard margarines (in a wrapper), combinations of vegetable oils with animal fats, lard and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil;
- Total fats and oils include both recommended and not recommended fats and oils.
KEY RESULTS
The population aged 3 years and older in Belgium eats on average 9 g of recommended fats and oils per day and 8 g of not recommended fats and oils per day
On average, the recommended fats and oils account for almost half of the total fats and oils consumed by the population aged 3 years and older
The consumption of recommended and not recommended fats and oils increases with age
The consumption of recommended fats and oils is higher in Flanders than in Wallonia
The consumption of recommended fats and oils has decreased between 2014-2015 (11 g/day) and 2022-2023 (8 g/day) in the population aged 3-64 years
By age and sex
Mean habitual intake of recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- 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).
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- In Belgium, the mean intake of recommended fats and oils is 9 g/day among the population aged 3 years and older. The median intake is 7 g/day.
- The mean intake of recommended fats and oils is higher in men (10 g/day) than in women (8 g/day). This sex difference is particularly pronounced in adults aged 18-64 years.
- The mean intake of recommended fats and oils is lower in children aged 3-9 years (6 g/day) and in adolescents aged 10-17 years (7 g/day) than in adults aged 18-64 years (9 g/day). In addition, this mean intake is lower in adults aged 18-64 years than in adults aged 65 years and older (11 g/day).
Mean habitual intake of not recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- 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).
- Not recommended fats and oils include butter, hard margarines (in a wrapper), combinations of vegetable oils with animal fats, lard and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.
- In Belgium, the mean intake of not recommended fats and oils is 8 g/day among the population aged 3 years and older. The median intake is 6 g/day.
- Overall, the mean intake of not recommended fats and oils is similar in men and women (8 g/day). However, among adults aged 18-64 years, men eat more not recommended fats and oils (9 g/day) than women (7 g/day).
- The mean intake of not recommended fats and oils is lower in children aged 3-9 years (5 g/day) and in adolescents aged 10-17 years (5 g/day) than in adults aged 18-64 years (8 g/day). In addition, this mean intake is lower in adults aged 18-64 years than in adults aged 65 years and older (12 g/day).
Mean intake of recommended fats and oils as a proportion of total fat and oil intake (%) in the population aged 3 years and older consuming fats and oils, 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).
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- In Belgium, recommended fats and oils account for an average of 47% of the total fats and oils consumed by the total population aged 3 years and older.
- This mean proportion is similar in men and women.
- The proportion of recommended fats and oils in the total fats and oils consumed is on average higher in children aged 3-9 years and in adolescents aged 10-17 years (52%) than in adults aged 65 years and older (42%).
By educational level
Mean habitual intake of recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- 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.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- The mean intake of recommended fats and oils is around 9 g/day in the different educational groups.
Mean habitual intake of not recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- 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.
- Not recommended fats and oils include butter, hard margarines (in a wrapper), combinations of vegetable oils with animal fats, lard and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.
- The mean intake of not recommended fats and oils is higher among people with a low educational level (9 g/day) than among those with a medium (7 g/day) or high (7 g/day) educational level.
Mean intake of recommended fats and oils as a proportion of total fat and oil intake (%) in the population aged 3 years and older consuming fats and oils, 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.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- Recommended fats and oils account on average for a higher proportion of the total fats and oils consumed by people with a high educational level (51%), compared to those with a low educational level (44%).
By region
Mean habitual intake of recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- The mean intake of recommended fats and oils is higher in Flanders (10 g/day) than in Wallonia (7 g/day).
Mean habitual intake of not recommended fats and oils (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.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- Not recommended fats and oils include butter, hard margarines (in a wrapper), combinations of vegetable oils with animal fats, lard and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.
- The mean intake of not recommended fats and oils is 8 g/day in Flanders and 9 g/day in Wallonia.
Mean intake of recommended fats and oils as a proportion of total fat and oil intake (%) in the population aged 3 years and older consuming fats and oils, 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.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- The mean proportion of fats and oils consumed that belong to the group of recommended fats and oils is higher in Flanders (50%) than in Wallonia (38%).
By year
Mean habitual intake of recommended fats and oils (g/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years old, by year, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Adults aged 65 years and above are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- The mean intake of recommended fats and oils in the population aged 3 to 64 years old has decreased from 11 g/day in 2014-2015 to 8 g/day in 2022-2023.
Mean habitual intake of not recommended fats and oils (g/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years old, by year, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean intake refers to the estimated mean habitual intake, calculated from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Adults aged 65 years and above are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- Not recommended fats and oils include butter, hard margarines (in a wrapper), combinations of vegetable oils with animal fats, lard and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.
- The mean intake of not recommended fats and oils in the population aged 3 to 64 years old has remained unchanged between 2014-2015 (8 g/day) and 2022-2023 (7 g/day).
Mean intake of recommended fats and oils as a proportion of total fat and oil intake (%) in the population aged 3-64 years consuming fats and oils, by year, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Adjusted = results weighted for season, age, sex and socioeconomic status, and adjusted according to age and sex based on linear regression model (using the Belgian population of 2022-2023 as reference).
- Adults aged 65 years and above are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- Recommended fats and oils include vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soft or liquid margarines (in a tub) made from these oils.
- The mean proportion of fats and oils consumed that belong to the group of recommended fats and oils has decreased from 57% in 2014-2015 to 48% in 2022-2023, in the population aged 3 to 64 years old.
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Food-based dietary guidelines: Fats and oils, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/food-based-dietary-guidelines/fats-and-oils