Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018

Authors: Moshfegh, Alanna; Rhodes, Donna; MORTON, SUZANNE - American Society For Nutrition; Goldman, Joseph

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/12/2021
Publication Date: 1/29/2021
Citation: Moshfegh, A.J., Rhodes, D.G., Morton, S., Goldman, J.D. 2021. Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-bhnrc/beltsville-human-nutrition-research-center/food-surveys-research-group/docs/wweianhanes-overview/.

Interpretive Summary: Analysis and application of high quality and timely data on dietary intakes are critical to assess the dietary and nutritional status of the U.S. population. The most recent nationwide dietary intake data collected in the What We Eat In America (WWEIA), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2017-2018 are available for public use. The dietary interview data files include extensive and delineated information on dietary intakes of 7,641 individuals from two nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls along with sample weights that can be used for statistical analysis. The document entitled Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 was developed to optimize access and utilization of WWEIA 2017-2018 dietary data. Key Points highlights major features on 23 topics ranging from the 4 data files from the dietary interview; dietary supplement data files; select variables beyond nutrients; and resources to access on the Food Surveys Research Group (FSRG) website including source of nutrient values, summarized WWEIA Data Tables and Dietary Data Briefs, and applications to enhance dietary data analysis. The Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 document is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.

Technical Abstract: Analysis and application of high quality and timely data on dietary intakes are critical to assess the dietary and nutritional status of the U.S. population. New nationwide dietary intake data were collected in What We Eat In America (WWEIA), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2017-2018 are available for public use. Two days of dietary intake data are included for most participants. The dietary interview data are in two types of files for each day of intake: The Total Nutrient Intakes Files and the Individual Foods Files. The Individual Foods Files contain information about each food eaten by a respondent (interview day of week, eating occasion name and time of day, food code, where obtained, whether eaten at home or not, combination code, amount eaten in grams, and amounts of energy and 64 nutrients/food components). The Total Nutrient Intakes Files contain, for each participant, daily aggregates of energy and nutrients/food components and information about water intakes. Information on salt use and whether the participant is on a diet to lose weight or for another health-related reason is also included for all participants, and frequency of fish and shellfish consumption is provided for selected age-sex groups. The document entitled Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 was developed to optimize access and utilization of WWEIA 2017-2018 dietary data. Key Points highlights major features on 23 topics ranging from the 4 data files from the dietary interview; dietary supplement data files; select variables beyond nutrients; and resources to access on the Food Surveys Research Group (FSRG) website including source of nutrient values, summarized WWEIA Data Tables and Dietary Data Briefs, and applications to enhance dietary data analysis. The Key Points Using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 document is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.