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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316739
Title: Rice consumption is associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010

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

Submitted to: Food and Nutrition Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2013
Publication Date: 3/15/2014
Citation: Nicklas, T.A., O'Neil, C.E., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2014. Rice consumption is associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010. Food and Nutrition Sciences. 5:525-532.

Interpretive Summary: White rice is a refined grain that is a staple food in many parts of the world and is becoming more widely consumed in the US. The effect of rice consumption on nutrient intake and diet quality using recent nationally representative data is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association of rice consumption with nutrient intake and diet quality in a recent nationally representative sample of US adults. These data indicate that rice consumption was associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake than seen in non-rice consumers. These preliminary analyses suggest that rice consumption patterns vary considerably. Arbitrary definitions of dietary exposures may be too simplistic of an approach to understanding the relationship between individual foods and overall dietary intakes and diet quality. More studies are needed to better understand the nutritional impact of specific foods in the diet in addition to the assessment of food-based patterns.

Technical Abstract: The goal of this study was to determine the association of rice consumption with nutrient intake and diet quality in a recent nationally representative sample of United States adults. The National Health and Nutrition Examination survey data (2005-2010) were used to assess the association of rice consumption by adults 19+ years with nutrient intake and diet quality. 24-hour dietary intakes were used to calculate usual intake of rice consumption using the National Cancer Institute methodology. Diet quality (using the Healthy Eating Index-2005) was calculated. Covariate adjusted least square means +/- Standard Error were determined and quartile trends across the rice consumption categories were examined. Significant positive trends were seen for sodium, dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, iron and potassium. Significant negative trends were seen for intakes of saturated fatty acids, added sugars, and calcium. Healthy Eating Index-2005 also showed a positive trend with rice consumption. Healthy Eating Index-2005 component scores for total fruit, whole fruit, dark green/orange vegetables, total grains, meat/beans, and oils were higher in rice consumers than non-consumers. Healthy Eating Index-2005 component scores for saturated fatty acids, solid fats, added sugars, and alcohol were higher suggesting more favorable intake, but sodium was lower. Overall, consumption of rice should be encouraged to improve nutrient intake and diet quality. Nutrition education can provide ways to reduce sodium added to rice dishes.