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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #328950
Title: Fresh pear consumption is associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2010

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/26/2015
Publication Date: 5/28/2015
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2015. Fresh pear consumption is associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2010. Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. 5:377. doi:10.4172/2155-9600.1000377.

Interpretive Summary: Fruit is a nutrient dense food; however, most Americans fail to meet the relatively modest level of fruit intake. The goal of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of fresh pear consumption on nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy, diet quality, and body weight. Adult pear consumers, as compared to non-consumers, had higher intake of dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium and lower prevalence of inadequacy for vitamin A. Adult pear consumers, as compared to non-consumers, had higher diet quality, lower body weight and were less likely to be obese. Consumption of fresh pears should be encouraged as part of an overall healthy diet, since pears are nutrient-dense and can help individuals meet the fruit recommendation.

Technical Abstract: No studies have examined the association of consuming fresh pears on nutrient intake or adequacy, diet quality, and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). The purpose of this study was to examine these association in adults (n=24,808) participating the NHANES 2001-2010. Covariate adjusted linear regression was used to compare macronutrients, diet quality, and CVRF. Diet quality was determined using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI- 2010). The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the usual intake (UI) of nutrients. Appropriate sample weights were used. Percentages of the population below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or above the Adequate Intake (AI) were determined. Consumers had higher mean intakes of total sugars and lower total, mono-, and saturated fatty acids, and added sugars than non-consumers; consumers also had higher UI for vitamin C, copper, magnesium, and potassium (p<0.01). Consumers had a higher percentage population meeting the EAR for vitamins A and C, copper, and magnesium; consumers had a higher percentage above the AI for fiber (p<0.01). HEI-2010 was higher in consumers (52.4+/- 0.4 vs 48.5 +/- 0.3) (p<0.01). Compared to non-consumers, consumers were 35% less likely to be obese (p<0.05). Fresh pears should be encouraged as a component of an overall healthy diet.