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Research Project: Interplay of the Physical Environment, Social Domain, and Intrapersonal Factors on Nutrition and Physical Activity Related Health Behaviors in Children and Adolescents

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Title: Diet quality component differences among United States adolescents with non-passing and passing diet quality scores

Author
item Walls, Tameka
item Thomson, Jessica
item LANDRY, ALICIA - University Of Central Arkansas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2022
Publication Date: 5/19/2022
Citation: Walls, T.I., Thomson, J.L., Landry, A.S. 2022. Diet quality component differences among United States adolescents with non-passing and passing diet quality scores. Meeting Abstract. Paper No.116.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Purpose: United States (US) adolescents generally have poor diets with some dietary components especially lacking in adequacy. Whether dietary components with lower adequacy are similar between adolescents with non-passing and passing total diet quality scores is not clear. Thus, this study’s purpose was to explore differences in diet quality component scores between US adolescents with non-passing and passing total diet quality scores. Methods: Two cycles, 2015-2016 and 2017-2018, of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used for this study. Dietary intake was measured using 24-hour dietary recalls and diet quality was assessed using the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015; 100-point scale with 13 components). Total and component diet quality scores <60% of maximum scores were classified as non-passing while scores =60% were classified as passing. Self-assessed diet quality was measured by asking adolescents (16-19 years of age) to rate the healthfulness their diet with responses including excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods for complex survey designs. Results/findings: Out of 1086 adolescents, 928 (85%) had non-passing total diet quality scores while 158 (15%) had passing total scores. For the non-passing group, the mean total score was 42% and mean scores for the 13 diet quality components ranged from 20% (greens and beans) to 80% (total protein) with only total protein achieving a passing score. For the passing group, the mean total score was 67% and mean scores for the 13 diet quality components ranged from 47% (whole grains) to 90% (total protein) with all components except greens and beans, whole grains, and sodium achieving passing scores. Based on 95% confidence intervals, mean total diet quality and all component scores differed between the two groups except for total dairy. Among adolescents who self-assessed the healthfulness of their diet as poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent, 4%, 9%, 14%, 26%, and 26%, respectively, had passing total diet quality scores. Conclusions: Dietary interventions targeting US adolescents should consider paying particular attention to improving greens and beans, whole grains, and sodium intakes whereas less attention may be given to total protein intake.