People over 65 are eating the healthiest diets in the Netherlands, according to a survey by CBS statistics agency and data provided by public health institute RIVM and the centre for healthy eating Voedingscentrum.

Teens between 12 and 18 made the unhealthiest food choices, according to the guidelines of the Schijf van vijf, the five official healthy eating indicators for each age group.

Age plays a part in food choices, the CBS found, with young children eating a healthier diet than adolescents. From 18, food choices become healthier as well.

Older people drink fewer sugary drinks, for instance, and eat cut down on unhealthy snacks. Toddlers and primary school children are big fruit consumers.

Three-quarters of respondents between 12 and 18 said they ate more than three big unhealthy snacks a week, while over a third said they drank a sugary drink every day. The majority, some 86%, did not eat the recommended two pieces of fruit a day.

Women have a healthier diet than men across the board, with the biggest difference in the consumption of sugary drinks.

In an earlier CBS survey into the perception of people’s eating habits, two-thirds of people over 18 said they thought they ate healthily. The over 45s got their information from the Schijf van vijf and advice from their doctor while younger people looked at food apps and social media or influencers for inspiration.