Differences in Dairy Intake Among Americans by Ethnicity and Age: NHANES 2015–2018

Abstract

ObjectivesConsuming dairy foods helps Americans meet recommendations for calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and protein. The Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends 3 daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, and yogurt for those 9 years and older, 2.5 servings for children 4–8 years and 2 servings for children 2–3 years. The objective of this study was to assess dairy consumption by Americans 2 years of age and older to identify population groups at higher risk for underconsumption. MethodsUsing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016 and 2017–2018, we evaluated the daily intake of total dairy foods, milk (total, white, flavored), cheese (total and cottage cheese separately), yogurt (regular and Greek), and milk substitutes (soy, rice, almond and others) by Americans, separating into groups by age (2 + years, 2–4 years, 4–8 years, 9–13 years, 14–18 years, 19 + years) and ethnicity (Asian, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White). Dairy serving amounts were defined as MyPlate serving size cup-equivalents. ResultsRegardless of age or ethnicity, Americans did not meet the DGA’s dairy intake recommendations. Average total daily dairy intake for Americans ages 2 + was 1.57 ± 0.03 cup-equivalents, with 0.73 servings coming from milk and 0.73 from cheese. Children ages 2–4 and 4–8 years came the closest to meeting recommendations, consuming an average of 1.93 ± 0.06 and 1.93 ± 0.05 servings, respectively, of dairy foods daily. Intake fell to 1.83 ± 0.06 daily servings among children ages 9–13, more than 30% below the recommendation that children begin consuming 3 daily servings at age 9.Daily dairy intake continued to decrease among those 14–18 years (1.75 ± 0.07 servings) and among adults 19+ (1.48 ± 0.03 servings). Among those ages 2 and older, non-Hispanic Black Americans had the lowest average intake (1.18 ± 0.04 servings daily) and non-Hispanic White Americans (1.67 ± 0.03) had the highest. Across all ethnic groups, plain milk was consumed in greater quantities than any other dairy food. ConclusionsBoth age and ethnic disparities exist in dairy intake for Americans. Improving adherence to dairy recommendations from the DGA could help Americans move closer to nutrient recommendations and overall healthy dietary patterns. Funding SourcesNational Dairy Council.