Current intake of animal and vegetable protein in the US: What We Eat In America (WWEIA)/National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2010

Abstract

The animal protein and vegetable protein content of foods consumed in WWEIA/NHANES 2007–2010 were calculated using the relevant USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR), the SR‐Link recipe file of the respective Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, and the MyPyramid Equivalent Database. Animal protein and vegetable protein intake were determined by age/gender groups with and without energy adjustment. In subjects 2+ yrs (N=17,387), animal protein intake was 53.0 ± 0.5 g/d while vegetable protein intake was 25.8 ± 0.2 g/d. Females (2+ yrs) had lower animal protein intake than males even after adjusting for energy intake (50.4 ± 0.5 v 55.7 ± 0.5 g/d; p<0.01). Similar gender differences were seen for all age groups evaluated except those 2–8 yrs (38.6 ± 0.6 v 39.8 ± 0.9 g/d in males and females, respectively; NS). Older adults (>;70 yrs) had lower animal protein intakes as compared to younger adults (19–30 yrs) even after adjusting for energy intake in males (43.0 ± 0.9 v 61.9 ± 1.3 g/d; p<0.01) and females (40.3 ± 0.6 v 55.5 ± 1.1g/d; p<0.01). The ratio of animal to vegetable protein was remarkably similar across age/gender groups, ranging from 1.8–2.2. In summary, animal protein was the predominant protein consumed, especially by males, and more studies are needed to better understand how demographic differences described influence the nutrient profiles of the diet. Support: USDA and The Beef Checkoff.