Comparing two days of dietary intake in What We Eat In America (WWEIA), NHANES, 2013-2016

Authors: Steinfeldt, Lois; Martin, Carrie; Clemens, John; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2021
Publication Date: 7/29/2021
Citation: Steinfeldt, L.C., Martin, C.L., Clemens, J.C., Moshfegh, A.J. 2021. Comparing two days of dietary intake in What We Eat In America (WWEIA), NHANES, 2013-2016. Nutrients. 13(8):2621. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082621.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082621

Interpretive Summary: Dietary intake is an important factor for health promotion and disease prevention. Foods and nutrients have been linked as both contributing to and preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. What We Eat In America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (WWEIA, NHANES) collects 24-hour dietary intakes on a representative sample of about 5,000 individuals each year along with demographic, socioeconomic, medical, dental, laboratory, and other health related data. Findings from WWEIA, NHANES have been used to determine dietary risk factors for major diseases and to assess nutritional status and its association with health promotion and disease prevention. The purpose of this study is to compare the Day 1 and Day 2 mean energy intakes of adults collected in WWEIA, NHANES 2013-2016 and to explore some of the factors which can create variation in mean daily energy intake. Mean energy intake of adults was not statistically different between the two days of recall by sex, age, race/ethnicity or income. Overall, the difference in energy intake was less than 4% for both males and females. This research demonstrates that WWEIA, NHANES dietary intake protocols results in successful collection of dietary intakes.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this research is to compare the Day 1 and Day 2 dietary intakes of adults in What We Eat In America (WWEIA), NHANES 2013-2016. Dietary recalls of males (n=2,599) and females (n=2,624) 20+ years who had both a Day 1 and Day 2 recall and reported their intake as usual on both days in WWEIA, NHANES 2013-2016 were examined. Mean (±SE) energy intake for males was 2,425 ±26 kcal for Day 1 and 2,334 ±32 kcal for Day 2 (p=.004). For females, 1,832 ±18 kcal and 1,775 ±26 kcal were reported for Day 1 and 2, respectively (p=.020). There were no significant differences between energy intake on Day 1 and Day 2 within males and females by ten-year age groups. Comparing 20 year age groups for males and females by race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic) and income (< 131%, 131-350%, and > 350% of poverty level) also showed no significant differences in energy intake between Day 1 and Day 2. Mean energy intake of adults was not statistically different between the two days of recall by sex, age, race/ethnicity or income. Overall, the difference in energy intake was less than 4% for both males and females.