National Diet and Nutrition Survey: results from Years 1 to 4 (combined) of the rolling programme for 2008 and 2009 to 2011 and 2012

Key findings:

In the population as a whole, mean saturated fat, non-milk extrinsic sugars and salt intakes were above dietary recommendations, and the mean intakes of fruit and vegetables, non-starch polysaccharides and oily fish were below recommendations.
Overall mean total fat and trans-fatty acids intakes were in line with recommendations.

On average, intakes of the majority of vitamins were adequate (excluding vitamin D, see below), as indicated by dietary intakes and biochemical indices of nutritional status.
Intakes below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) were found in a proportion of the 11 to 18 years age group for vitamin A, riboflavin and folate (girls only). Women aged 19 to 64 years also had intakes below the LRNI for riboflavin.
There was evidence of an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency in all age/sex groups.
For iron, both the dietary intake and biochemical status data indicated an increased risk of iron deficiency in girls aged 11 to 18 years and women aged 19 to 64 years.
There was evidence of intakes below the LRNI in a substantial proportion of older children and adults for some minerals, particularly magnesium, potassium and selenium.
Analysis by equivalised income quintile showed some evidence of income differences in diet and nutrient intake with those in lower income quintiles tending to have poorer diets, particularly with respect to fruit and vegetable consumption.