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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Food Surveys Research Group » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332896
Title: A comparison of food patterns equivalents intakes by Americans: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012

Author
item Bowman, Shanthy
item Friday, James
item Clemens, John
item Lacomb, Randy
item Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/7/2016
Publication Date: 10/13/2016
Citation: Bowman, S.A., Friday, J.E., Clemens, J.C., LaComb, R.P., Moshfegh, A.J. 2016. A comparison of food patterns equivalents intakes by Americans: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: www.ars.usda.gov/services/docs.htm?docid=19476.

Interpretive Summary: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 (DGA) encourage Americans to increase their fruit, vegetables, and whole grains intake and limit intake of added sugars and solid fats. This report highlights the changes in the dietary intakes of selected USDA Food Patterns groups, including added sugars and solid fats, for the U.S. population from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Estimated mean intakes of added sugars by Americans, 2 years and over, substantially decreased by 2.6 teaspoons equivalents (tsp. eq.) or 11 grams, from 21 tsp. eq. in 2003-2004 to 18.4 tsp. eq. in 2011-2012 per day. Although Americans have reduced their added sugars intakes, their mean intakes are still high. Other notable changes in the same period included an 11 gram reduction in the intake of solid fats and a small, but statistically significant increase in whole grains intake from 0.6 to 0.9 oz. eq. No changes were noted in the fruit; vegetables; dairy; and total meat, poultry, and seafood intakes between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. The reduction in added sugars intake could be due to the increased availability of snack foods and beverages that are low in caloric sweeteners or contain sugar substitutes, thereby enabling Americans to choose food products low in added sugars or no sugar alternates. The proportion of solid fats and oils to total fat in the American diet changed for the better. Americans consumed a lower proportion of their total fat as solid fats. These changes could be due to the replacement of hydrogenated oils with unhydrogenated oils in fried food products and in margarine and the increased availability of lean meat options.

Technical Abstract: This report highlights the changes in the dietary intakes of selected USDA Food Patterns groups, including added sugars and solid fats, for the U.S. population from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-12. Study sample included 8,272 and 7,932 individuals, ages 2 years and over (excluding breast-fed children) with complete and reliable intake records, in the 2003-2004 and 2011-2012 surveys, respectively. Sample weights were applied in the analyses to produce nationally representative estimates. The estimated mean daily intake of added sugars by all individuals ages 2 years and over substantially decreased by 2.6 teaspoon equivalents (tsp. eq.) or 11 grams. Similarly, substantial reductions were noted among each of the age groups studied: children ages 2-5, 6-11, and 12-19; and adults ages 20+ years. Although Americans have reduced their added sugars intakes, their mean intakes are still high when compared to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations. The estimated mean daily intake of solid fats by all individuals, ages 2 years and over, substantially decreased by 11.1 grams, from 47.6 to 36.5 grams. Also, substantial reductions were noted in each of the age groups studied. The estimated mean daily intakes of oils for all individuals, ages 2 years and over, increased by 6.1 grams, from 19.2 to 25.3 grams. Although the whole grains consumption increased from 0.6 to 0.9 ounce equivalents, it was small and well below the Dietary Guidelines recommendations to eat 50 percent of total grains as whole grains. No changes were noted in the fruit; vegetables; dairy; and total meat, poultry, and seafood intakes between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Mean intakes of vegetables, fruit, and dairy foods continued to be low when compared to the Dietary Guidelines recommendations.