Pensioners and immigrants are more likely to eat the recommended amount of fish, fruit and vegetables than the average Dutch person, according to new research by public health institute RIVM and the national statistics office CBS.

Three-quarters of the population fail to eat the recommended two pieces of fruit and 200 grammes of vegetables a day, as well as fish twice a week.

In total, 36% of western immigrants and 31% of non-western immigrants eat enough vegetables, compared with 26% of the native Dutch. Immigrants also outstrip the Dutch in terms of fruit and fish consumption, the survey shows.

Children are more likely than adults not to eat the recommended amount of fruit, veg and fish. Just 14% of 12 to 16-year-olds eat enough fruit and only 6% eat fish – including one serving of oily fish like herring – twice a week.

Pensioners are also more likely to eat enough fruit and veg than the under-65s, the research shows.