ARS | Publication request: Filling America's fiber intake gap: Summary of a roundtable to probe realistic solutions with a focus on grain-based foods

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 27, 2012
Publication Date: May 30, 2012
Citation: Clemens, R., Kranz, S., Mobley, A.R., Nicklas, T.A., Raimondi, M., Rodriguez, J.C., Slavin, J.L. 2012. Filling America's fiber intake gap: Summary of a roundtable to probe realistic solutions with a focus on grain-based foods. Journal of Nutrition. 142:1390S-1401S.

Technical Abstract: Current fiber intakes are alarmingly low, with long-term implications for public health related to risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, certain gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, and the continuum of metabolic dysfunctions including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. With more than 90% of adults and children who fall short of meeting their daily fiber recommendations, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans once again classified fiber as a nutrient of concern. Despite efforts over the past decade to promote adequate fiber through fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain intakes, fiber consumption has remained flat at approximately half the daily recommended amount. The public health implications of inadequate fiber intake prompted the roundtable session "Filling America’s Fiber Gap: Probing Realistic Solutions," which assembled nutrition researchers, educators, and communicators to identify challenges, opportunities, and realistic solutions to help fill the current fiber gap. The roundtable discussions highlighted the need for both consumer and professional education to improve acceptance for and inclusion of grain-based foods with added fiber as one strategy for increasing fiber intakes within daily energy goals.