Dietary fibre intakes in the United Kingdom before and after retirement from work

During a 4-year longitudinal nutritional survey at the age of retirement from work, 94 subjects participated, both before and after retirement. Investigations included 7-day weighed dietary records, questionnaire interviews and health screening. A further 89 subjects added to the data by questionnaire interviews. Dietary fibre intakes calculated from the 7-day weighed dietary records were: pre-retirement 17.6 +/- 6.5 g/day, range 7-35 g; post-retirement 18.4 +/- 6.1 g/day, range 7-34 g. Before their retirement 88 per cent of the sample were not reaching the NACNE short-term recommendation of 25 g/day and 95 per cent had not reached the long-term recommendation of 30 g/day. There was little change in these percentages after retirement from work. Those individuals whose intakes were greater than 30 g/day had sometimes adopted a somewhat unusual style of eating. The percentage contributions to dietary fibre intake from the main food groups remained consistent, with vegetables and breads as the major sources, followed in importance by breakfast cereals and fruits. In spite of the ready availability of higher fibre foods, and publicity from the mass media and nutritional counselling, the increased awareness of the role of dietary fibre in the prevention of constipation had not, for the majority, altered food choice. There was a significantly higher intake of dietary fibre when breakfast was eaten daily but no significant effect on intake with alterations in food choice caused by dentures, chewing difficulties, indigestion or weight control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)