Last updated on 8-8-2025 by Laïla Boulbayem
Why do we study dietary patterns of the population?
- What we eat and drink has a direct impact on our health and well-being. By studying dietary patterns in the population (What foods are eaten? At what frequency? By whom?), we can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to promote better diets. This knowledge helps address the risk of diet-related diseases and supports the development of healthy, sustainable food systems.
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The current page is focused on general consumption of cakes and biscuits.
How do we study the consumption of cakes and biscuits?
- The consumption of cakes and biscuits was assessed, overall and for different population groups, using data from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Trained interviewers recorded twice, on two non-consecutive days, all the foods and drinks that participants had consumed on the previous day using a specialised computer program (GloboDiet®).
- The mean cake and biscuit consumption (in grams per day) was calculated using the average consumption, overall and by its two subcategories – cakes and biscuits –, over the two recall days of each participant. Since mean distributions are skewed, comparison between population subgroups should be interpreted with caution.
- The detailed methodology can be found here.
What is included in the group of “cakes and biscuits”?
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This group is divided into two subcategories:
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Cakes, which includes cakes, pies, pastries, non-dairy puddings, and pancakes;
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Biscuits, which includes biscuits, waffles, and cereal bars.
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KEY RESULTS
The mean consumption of cakes and biscuits is 45 g per day
Men consume 47 g/day of cakes and biscuits, compared to 43 g/day for women
Cakes and biscuits consumption is highest in adolescents (10-17 years: 60 g per day) and lowest in middle-aged adults (40-64 years: 37 g per day)
By sex
Mean consumption of cakes and biscuits (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The mean overall consumption of cakes and biscuits is 45 g/day.
- Men consume 47 g/day of cakes and biscuits, compared to 43 g/day for women.
- The consumption of cakes is greater than that of biscuits, across both men (31 g/day of cakes vs. 16 g/day of biscuits) and women (29 g/day of cakes vs. 14 g/day of biscuits).
By age
Mean consumption of cakes and biscuits (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over 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).
- While of the mean consumption of cakes and biscuits are similar across ages 3-9 years (49 g/day), 18-39 years (44 g/day), and 65 years and above (46 g/day), the overall consumption of cakes and biscuits is higher in adolescents aged 10-17 years (60 g/day) and lower in adults aged 40-64 years (37 g/day).
- The consumption of cakes is higher than the consumption of biscuits across all age groups.
By educational level
Mean consumption of cakes and biscuits (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 consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over 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.
- Individuals with low, medium, and high levels of education show similar mean consumption of cakes and biscuits consumption (43g/day, 46 g/day, and 46 g/day, respectively).
- The consumption of cakes is higher than the consumption of biscuits across all educational groups.
By region
Mean consumption of cakes and biscuits (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 consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over 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.
- No regional differences are observed in the mean consumption of cakes and biscuits. Individuals in Flanders consume 44 g/day while those in Wallonia consume 48 g/day.
- The consumption of cakes is higher than the consumption of biscuits in both regions.
More results
Explore our data by region, sex, and other variables on our interactive dashboard EatMoveStats where you can easily export data.
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Food Consumption: Cakes and biscuits, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/food-consumption/cakes-and-biscuits