Within-subject Comparison of Dietary Intake and Diet Quality on Days with and Without Ready to Eat Cereal Consumption (P18-053-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesStudies have shown ready to eat cereal (RTEC) eaters had better dietary intake than non-eaters, however, little is known about within-subject differences by RTEC consumption. The study was conducted to compare differences in dietary intake and diet quality between the day with and without RTEC consumption in adults from the United States. MethodsData from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 were used in the study. The sample comprised of 1818 adults aged 18 years or older who reported consumption of RTEC in one day but not the other day based on two 24-hour dietary recalls. Energy and nutrient intake were obtained from the dietary data, whereas intake of whole grains and added sugar were estimated using Food Patterns Equivalent Database. Diet quality was measured by Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). Multiple linear regression analyses for surveys were conducted to estimate within-subject differences in each outcome by RTEC consumption while adjusting for recall day, recall method, as well as a separate fixed effect of each person to control for demographic characteristics. ResultsSubjects had significantly higher intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, carbohydrate, as well as dietary fiber and whole grains, together with significantly lower intake of total fat and sodium, on the day when they consumed RTEC than the day when RTEC was not consumed (P < 0.05 for all). Total energy intake, intake of protein and total sugar as well as added sugar did not differ significantly between the day with and without RTEC consumption. On days when RTEC was consumed, HEI-2015 total score, as well as sub scores for adequacy components including whole fruits, whole grains, dairy, and moderation components including saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium, were significantly higher (P < 0.05 for all). ConclusionsWhen adults consumed RTEC on a given day, they had a healthier diet with higher daily intake of dietary fiber, whole grains, as well as many key vitamins and minerals than the day when they did not consume RTEC. RTEC consumption is not associated with total energy intake and intake of total sugar or added sugar. Funding SourcesThe study was funded by General Mills, Inc.