Abstract P354: Percent of Americans Meeting Food Group Recommendations and Top Food Sources of Key Nutrients in the American Diet

Abstract

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consumption of a healthy dietary pattern that includes nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, protein foods, and oils. However, many Americans are falling short on consuming the recommended amount of these food groups and greater disparities may exist within certain sociodemographic groups. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine where Americans were falling short in intake of food groups when stratified by sociodemographic characteristics and to determine which foods in the American diet were the top sources of whole grains and nutrients of public health concern (calcium, vitamin D, potassium, fiber and iron [for women and adolescent girls of childbearing age]). Methods: Data on consumption of food groups for Americans 2 years and older (excluding pregnant and lactating women; n=7,814) were taken from the Food Patterns Equivalent Database (FPED) 2015-2016. Usual intake of food groups was calculated based on 2 24-hr recalls using the National Cancer Institute method and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study weights. Top food sources of nutrients in the diet were calculated using NHANES 2015-2016 day 1 24-hr dietary recall data and foods were grouped according to the What We Eat in America categorization. Results: Over half of Americans 2 years and older met the intake recommendations for protein foods, oils, and total grains; however, far fewer met the recommendations for vegetables (12%), fruits (15%), whole grains (1%), or dairy (8%) intake. Patterns were similar across age groups although children and older adults were generally more likely to meet recommendations than adolescents and younger adults. Compared to men and boys, women and girls were more likely to meet recommendations for vegetables (14% vs 9%) and fruits (17% vs. 13%), and less likely to meet recommendations for total grains (50% vs 62%), dairy (5% vs 12%) and protein foods (43% vs 62%). The percent meeting recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy remained low across racial/ethnic groups. Milk, ready-to-eat cereals, pizza, sandwiches, and breads were among the top sources of whole grains and the nutrients of public health concern for children. For adults, key foods included breads, ready-to-eat cereals, milk, and Mexican mixed dishes. Conclusion: Shifts in dietary patterns are needed to meet current recommendations across all age, gender, and racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Increasing the intake of key foods such as milk, ready-to-eat cereal, bread and mixed dishes may help Americans increase intake of under-consumed food groups and nutrients.