This methodology report describes the procedures used to analyse food consumption, nutrient intake, and dietary supplement use in the Belgian population, based on data from the Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023.
The core of the report focuses on the analysis of food and nutrient intake, based on two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls per participant. Only individuals with two complete recalls were included in these analyses, which means that the study sample differs slightly from other analyses. To ensure the representativeness of the Belgian population, specific weighting factors were recalculated. These are described in the first chapter.
The report further outlines the methodology used to estimate usual food and nutrient intake, which requires advanced statistical modelling. The software used for this purpose, along with its underlying principles, is discussed in detail. Indicators of consumption, such as mean intake, habitual intake, and consumption frequency are explained, as well as how specific consumption patterns—including food and supplement intake—are evaluated.
Subsequent chapters describe how food consumption was assessed against national food-based dietary guidelines, and how nutrient intake was compared to dietary reference values to evaluate adequacy and possible excess of nutrient intake. Energy intake was specifically evaluated for plausibility, given the well-documented issue of potential misreporting in dietary surveys.
Finally, a dedicated chapter discusses the analysis and indicators of dietary supplement consumption, including the types of supplements consumed, along with the reasons for and places of consumption.
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