Nutrient and Food Group Intakes among U.S. Children (2-5 Years) Differ by Family Income to Poverty Ratio, NHANES 2011-2018.

Katia Fadeyev,Marla Reicks,Sayaka Nagao-Sato

doi:10.3390/ijerph182211938

Abstract

Family income may influence nutrient and food group intakes among preschool children, thus increasing risk of nutrient deficiencies. This study compared nutrient and food group intakes and diet quality among a U.S. sample of children 2–5 years of age by family income to poverty ratio (PIR) based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2018) data (n = 2249). Regression analyses were used to compare dietary intakes based on proxy-reported 24-h dietary recalls and Healthy Eating Index-2015 total scores by low PIR versus mid-high PIR levels adjusted for covariates. PIR levels varied by child race/ethnicity and household reference person’s sex, marital status, and education. More than half of the children in the low PIR group (56%) were reported to have received WIC benefits in the past year. Marginally lower calcium (p = 0.008) and lower fiber intakes, lower total HEI-2015 scores, and lower intakes of fruits and whole grain foods (all p < 0.007) were observed among children in low PIR households compared to mid-high PIR households. However, iron intakes were higher (p = 0.0003) among children in low PIR households compared to mid-high PIR households. Lack of other differences in nutrient and food group intakes may be attributable to WIC benefits.

Highlights

Female household reference (HR) persons (p = 0.0003), HR persons who were single (p < 0.0001), and those with less education (p < 0.0001) were more likely to have low vs. mid-high PIR level compared to their counterparts
No differences were observed in Body mass index (BMI) classes by PIR level (p = 0.291) with 73.6% of all children categorized into the normal weight category
This finding was consistent with a previous study based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014 data [33], which showed that for children 2–5 years, a lower total Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 score was observed for those children in families with PIR < 1 vs. PIR ≥ 1

Summary

Introduction

Because the current food environment is changing to include more convenience foods, food groups such as vegetables, fruits, and dairy are becoming displaced by empty-calorie alternatives [1,2]

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Discussion

Conclusion