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Title: Ethnic disparities among food sources of energy and nutrients of public health concern and nutrients to limit in adults in the United States: NHANES 2003-2006

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LSU Agcenter
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item KEAST, DEBRA - Food And Nutrition Database Research, Inc
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Food and Nutrition Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2014
Publication Date: 11/18/2014
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Keast, D.R., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2014. Ethnic disparities among food sources of energy and nutrients of public health concern and nutrients to limit in adults in the United States: NHANES 2003-2006. Food and Nutrition Research. 58:15784.

Interpretive Summary: A total of 80-99% of Americans do not meet the recommendations for the nutrient-dense food groups which would help provide these nutrients - fruit, vegetables, whole grains, or reduced fat dairy products. Further, Americans also overconsume energy from saturated fatty acids, added sugars, solid fats, and sodium. Some ethnic groups appear to find the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans especially difficult to follow. Understanding current food selections, especially populations at high risk for diet-related chronic diseases is critical for designing culturally specific strategies to help Americans meet nutrient recommendations while keeping within energy needs. This study, along with previous studies, showed that energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods were major contributors to dietary energy intake, making it difficult for individuals to achieve nutrient recommendations without exceeding energy limits. The study also showed significant differences in energy intake and in the food sources contributing to energy and nutrient intakes in non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican American adults.

Technical Abstract: Identification of current food sources of energy and nutrients among United States non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican American adults is needed to help with public health efforts in implementing culturally sensitive and feasible dietary recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine the food sources of energy and nutrients to limit (saturated fatty acids, added sugars, and sodium) and nutrients of public health concern (dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium) by non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican American adults. This was a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican American adults 19+ years. The 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 24-hour recall (Day 1) dietary intake data were analyzed. An updated United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Source Nutrient Database was developed using current food composition databases. Food grouping included ingredients from disaggregated mixtures. Mean energy and nutrient intakes from food sources were sample-weighted. Percentages of total dietary intake contributed from food sources were ranked. Multiple differences in intake among ethnic groups were seen for energy and all nutrients examined. Food sources of these nutrients also varied. Identification of intake of nutrients to limit and of public health concern can help health professionals implement appropriate dietary recommendations and plan interventions that are ethnically appropriate.