ARS | Publication request: AMERICA'S NUTRITION REPORT CARD: COMPARING NUTRIENT INTAKES TO DIETARY REFERENCE INTAKES

Submitted to: International Conference of Dietary Assessment Methods
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 24, 2006
Publication Date: April 26, 2006
Citation: Moshfegh, A.J., Cleveland, L.E., Goldman, J.D. 2006. America's nutrition report card: Comparing nutrient intakes to dietary reference intakes [abstract]. 6th International Conference on Dietary Assessment Methods, April 27-29, 2006, Copenhagen, Denmark. Program & Abstracts. P24-10.

Technical Abstract: National dietary data along with related nutritional status measures are powerful tools for assessing the nutritional status of a country's population. How diets measure up to dietary standards established to maintain health and prevent chronic disease are critical to assuring the health and well-being of the population. The National Academies of Science have developed new dietary standards for the United States and Canada called Dietary Reference Intakes. National dietary data collected in the United States in 2001-2002 were analyzed to determine estimates of mean usual nutrient intakes and compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes. For many nutrients, the American diet is adequate. However, many Americans are falling short in a number of nutrients including vitamins E, A, and C, and magnesium. Other nutrients that may be potential problems include calcium, vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber. The challenge to improve American diets and health will not be in additional food intake to meet these nutrient shortfalls but in careful food choices that are nutrient-dense.