Abstract P177: Higher Frequency of Fast Food Consumption is Associated with Lower Likelihood of Meeting Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Findings from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Abstract

Background: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are reference values established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine and are intended for purposes of planning and assessing diets for healthy populations. As consumption of fast food has continued to increase, the question of nutrient adequacy is of growing concern. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation is to quantify the association between frequency of fast food consumption and likelihood of meeting DRIs in a middle age adult population. Methods: Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) is a multi-center longitudinal study among black and white men and women who, at year 20 of follow up, were ages 38-50 years (n=3,089). Dietary intake was assessed by trained, certified interviewers using the validated CARDIA Diet History questionnaire. Fast food frequency was quantified based on responses to a dietary behavior questionnaire and categorized according to 0, >0-<1, 1-<3, and 3+ times/wk. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between fast food frequency and the likelihood of meeting DRIs accounting for age, sex, race, study center, education, smoking status, and energy intake. Results: More frequent consumption of fast food was associated with lower likelihood of meeting recommended levels of several essential nutrients and greater likelihood of exceeding recommended intakes of sodium and sugar (Table1). Conclusions: These findings raise awareness of the need for targeting public health messages aimed at improving diets of fast food consumers, for example, by improving foods served at fast food restaurants to help meet nutrient needs in the US diet.